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THE 



AET OF BEAUTIFTIE-G 

SUBUMAI HOME GROUNDS 



OF SMALL EXTENT ; 

THE ADVANTAGES OP SUBtTRBAN HOMES OVER CITT OS COUNTRY HOMES; 

THE COMFORT AND ECONOMY OF NEIGHBORING IMPROVEMENTS ; 

THE CHOICE AND TREATMENT OF BUILDING SITES J 

AND THE BEST MODES OF 

LAYING OUT, PLANTING, AND KEEPING 

DECORATED GROUNDS. 



ILLUSTRATED BY UPWARDS OF TWO HUNDRED 
PLATES AND ENGRAVINGS 

OF PLAK8 FOB BE8IDENCBS AND THEIB GBOUNDS, OF TEBE8 AND 8HBUBE 
AND GABDEN EMBEIiLISHMENTS ; 



WITH DESCRIPTIONS OP THE BEAUTinjL AND HARDT 

ES -A-NID SHRUBS 

GEOWN IN THE UNITED STATES. 




BY b ^ 

FRANK JT'SCOTT. 



NEW YORK: 
]^ A P P L E T O N & CO., 

90, 92, & 94 GRAND STREET. 
1870. 




18 70 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1870, by 

FRANK J. SCOTT, 

In the Clerk's OfiSce of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of 

New York. 



^ 



tit»»' 



.©t»« 



jUL 



17 1915 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



B3^. 




PART I. 

SUBURBAN HOME GROUNDS. 
Introduction, ...... 



PAGE 
II 



CHAPTER I. 



Art and Nature, 



15 



CHAPTER 11. 
Decorative Planting — What Constitutes It, 



17 



CHAPTER III. 

What Kind of Home Grounds will best suit Business 

Men, and their Cost, . . . . .20 

CHAPTER IV. 

Suburban Neighborhoods compared with Country 
Places, . .... . . 26 



CHAPTER V. 

Building Sites and Ground Surfaces, . 



32 



Vi TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER VI. 

Dwellings, Outbuildings, and Fences, . . 45 



PAGE 



CHAPTER VII. 

Neighboring Improvements, . , « .60 

CHAPTER VIII. 

Materials Used in Decorative Planting, . . 70 

CHAPTER IX. 
Faults to Avoid — Plan before Planting, . . 75 

CHAPTER X. 
Walks and Roads, . . . . , 85 

CHAPTER XL 
Arrangement in Planting, . . , .92 

CHAPTER XII. 

Relative Importance of Lawn, Trees, Shrubs, Flowers, 
AND Constructive Decorations in the Develop- 
ment of Home Pictures, .... 102 

CHAPTER XIII. 
The Lawn, . . . . . .107 

CHAPTER XIV. 
Artificial Adaptations of Shrubs and Trees, . 112 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. tU 

CHAPTER XV. 

PAGE 

Plans of Residences and Grounds, . • • 131 

CHAPTER XVI. 
The Renovation of Old Places, . • 238 

CHAPTER XVII. 

Flowers and Bedding Plants and their Settings, . 246 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

The Philosophy of Deep Drainage and Cultivation in 
THEIR Relation to the Growth of Trees, and the 
Successful Culture of those which are Half- 
hardy ; together with Suggestions for Protecting 
Young Trees in Winter and Summer, . . 264 



PART II. 

TREES, SHRUBS AND VINES. 

CHAPTER I. 
A Comparison of the Characteristics of Trees, . 277 

CHAPTER II. 
Descriptions and Order of Arrangement, . . 299 

CHAPTER III. 
Deciduous Trees, ...... 302 



VIU TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER IV. 

Deciduous Shrubs, . . . . . .^c 



PAGE 



CHAPTER V. 

Evergreen Trees and Shrubs, . . . •514 

CHAPTER VI. 

Vines and Creepers, ..... 592 

Appendix, . . . . . . . 601 

Index, ....... 606 



A KEY TO THE SYMBOLS USED IN THE FOLLOWING 



Open fence on street lines 

Close lii^h fence, ot wall 

Li^ht wire fence, or no fejice al all 

Road and Walk lines 

Beds of quite low annuals or perennials 

rio"werin^' plants , /S i/u/i/'s high and upwards 




? 
& 





A 

G 

y 





Rose beds 



X I^lar Rosesy 
Street trees ® Vase with, base 



Tilled g" round 

r.ir 

Vegetables 



Rustic Vase 



Deciduous trees brmtching Tugfh enoaff/i to allow a clear view 
under lAeir branches 

Piue tree 

Arbor Vitaes and Cedars 

Spruce Firs lletnloclvS &c 

Small deciduoiis trees 

SliTubbery 
Apple tree 
Cherry tree 

Standard Pear tree L A Dwarf fear tree J 
Peacb tree 
Fluni tree 
Quince tree 

Grape tree, or vine on stake 
J ■ Grape Trellis 



Grape Arbor 



PART I. 

Suburban Home Grounds. 




INTRODUCTION 



" The landscape, forever consoling and kind, 
Pours her wine and her oil on the smarts of the mind." 

Lowell. 

THE aim of this work is to aid persons of moderate 
income, who know little of the arts of decorative garden- 
ing, to beautify their homes ; to suggest and illustrate 
the simple means with which beautiful home-surround- 
ings may be realized on small grounds, and with little cost ; and 
thus to assist in giving an intelligent direction to the desires, and 
a satisfactory result for the labors of those who are engaged in 
embellishing homes, as well as those whose imaginations are warm 
with the hopes of homes that are yet to be. 

It is more than twenty years since the poetical life and pen of 



12 INTRODUCTION. 

A. J. Downing warmed the hearts of his countrymen to a new love 
and zest for rural culture. In the department of suburban 
architecture, the work so charmingly begun by him has been 
carried forward by Vaux and a host of others, whose works are 
constantly appearing. But in the specialty of decorative gardening, 
adapted to the small grounds of most suburban homes, there is 
much need of other works than have yet appeared. Downing had 
begun in the books entitled "Cottage Residences and Cottage 
Grounds" and "Country Houses," to cover this subject in his 
peculiarly graceful as well as sensible style ; but death robbed us 
of his pleasant genius in the prime of its usefulness. Since his 
time many useful works have appeared on one or another branch 
of gardening art ; but not one has been devoted entirely to the 
arts of suburban-home embellishment. The subject is usually 
approached, as it were, sideways — as a branch of other subjects, 
architectural, agricultural, and horticultural — and not as an art 
distinct from great landscape-gardening, and not embraced in flori- 
culture, vegetable gardening, and pomology. The busy pen of the 
accomplished Donald G. Mitchell has treated of farm embellish- 
ment with an admirable blending of farmer-experience and a poet's 
culture ; but he has given the farm, more than the citizen's subur- 
ban lot, the benefit of his suggestions. Copeland's " Country 
Life " is a hand-book grown almost into an encyclopaedia of garden 
and farm work, full of matter giving it great value to the farmer 
and horticulturist. Other works, too numerous to mention, of 
special horticultural studies, as well as valuable horticultural an- 
nuals, have served to whet a taste for the arts of planning as well as 
planting. Some of them cover interesting specialties of decorative 
gardening. It is a hopeful sign of intelligence when any art or 
science divides into many branches, and each becomes a subject 
for special treatises. But books which treat, each, of some one 
department of decorative gardening, should follow, rather than 
precede, a knowledge of the arts of arrangement, by which, alone, 
all are combined to produce harmonious home-pictures ; and for 
precisely the same reason that it is always best to plan one's house 
before selecting the furniture — which, however good in itself, may 
not otherwise suit the place where it must be used. 



INTRODUCTION. 13 

The term landscape-gardening is misapplied when used in 
connection with the improvement of a few roods of suburban 
ground ; and we disavow any claim, for this work, to treat of 
landscape-gardening on that large scale, or in the thorough and 
exhaustive manner in which it is handled by the masters of the art 
in England, and by Downing for this country. Compared with the 
English we are yet novices in the fine arts of gardening, and the 
exquisite rural taste even among the poorer classes of England, 
which inspired glowing eulogiums from the pen of Washington 
Irving thirty years ago, is still as far in advance of our own as at 
that time. British literature abounds in admirable works on all 
branches of gardening arts. Loudon's energy and exhaustive in- 
dustry seem to have collected, digested, and illustrated, almost 
everything worth knowing in the arts of gardening. But his works 
are too voluminous, too thorough, too English, to meet the needs 
of American suburban life. Kemp, in a complete little volume en- 
titled " How to lay out a Garden," has condensed all that is most 
essential on the subject for England. But the arrangements of 
American suburban homes of the average character differ so widely 
from those of the English, and our climate also varies so essen- 
tially from theirs, that plans of houses and grounds suitable there 
are not often adapted to our wants. There is an extent and 
thoroughness in their out-buildings, and arrangements for man- 
servants and maid-servants and domestic animals, which the great 
cost of labor in this country forces us to condense or dispense 
with. Public and private examples of landscape-gardening on a 
grand scale begin to familiarize Americans with the art. The best 
cemeteries of our great cities are renowned even in Europe for 
their tasteful keeping. But more than all other causes, that won- 
derful creation, the New York Central Park, has illustrated the 
power of public money in the hands of men of tasteful genius to re- 
produce, as if by magic, the gardening glories of older lands. But 
public parks, however desirable and charming, are not substitutes 
for beautiful Homes ; and with observation of such public works, 
and of examples of tasteful but very costly private grounds in many 
parts of the country, there comes an increasing need of practical 
works to epitomize and Americanize the principles of decorative 



14 INTRODUCTION. 

gardening, to illustrate their application to small grounds, and to 
effect in miniature, and around ordinary homes, some of their love- 
liest results. Some of the most prized pictures of great landscape 
painters are scenes that lie close to the eye ; which derive little of 
their beauty from breadth of view, or variety of objects ; and yet 
they may be marvels of lovely or picturesque beauty. The half- 
acre of a suburban cottage (if the house itself is what it should be) 
may be as perfect a work of art, and as well worth transferring to 
canvas as any part of the great Chatsworth of the Duke of 
Devonshire. 

Of the millions of America's busy men and women, a large 
proportion desire around their homes the greatest amount of beauty 
which their means will enable them to maintain ; and the minimum 
of expense and care that will secure it. It is for these that 
this work has been prepared. It is not designed for the very 
wealthy, nor for the poor, but principally for that great class of 
towns-people whose daily business away from their homes is a 
necessity, and who appreciate more than the very rich, or the 
poor, all the heart's cheer, the refined pleasures, and the beauty 
that should attach to a suburban home. 

In planning home-grounds, a familiarity with the materials from 
which the planter must choose is requisite to success in producing 
a desired effect. This work, therefore, embraces descriptions and 
many illustrations of trees and shrubs ; and is intended to be full 
in those matters which are of most interest to unscientific lovers of 
nature and rural art, in their efforts to create home beauty ; — such 
as the expression of trees and shrubs, as produced by their sizes, 
forms, colors, leaves, flowers, and general structure, quite inde- 
pendent of their characteristics as noted by the botanist. The 
botanical information incidentally conveyed in the names and 
descriptions of trees, shrubs, and flowers, has been drawn, it is 
hoped, from the best authorities ; but, for any errors that may be 
found in them, the author asks the kind indulgence of the more 
scientific reader. 




All nature is but art unknown to thee , 
All chance, direction which thou canst not see " 

Pope 

^HE prevalent idea that the best 
decorative gardening is simply 
an imitation of pleasing natural 
* scenery, is partially incorrect. If 

an imitation of Nature were the only aim, 
if she were simply to be let alone, or repeated, then a prairie, 
a wild forest, an oak-opening, a jungle, or a rocky scene, would 
only need to be inclosed to seem a perfect example of landscape 
gardening. All these forms of Nature have their peculiar beauties, 
and yet these very beauties, when brought into connection with our 
dwellings, are as incongruous as the picturesqueness of savage 
human life in streets or parlors. All civilization is marked by the 



16 ART AND NATURE. 

touch of the arts which have subjugated the ruder elements in 
human and vegetable nature to mould and re-arrange them. We 
are not made to be content on nature's lower levels; for that spaik 
of divinity within us — Imagination — suggests to us progress and 
improvement, and these are no less natural than existence. The 
arts which make life beautiful are those that graft upon the wildings 
of nature the refinements and harmonies which the Deity through 
the imagination is ever suggesting to us. 

Decorative gardening had reached a high degree of perfection 
among ancient nations before the art now known as Landscape 
Gardening had its origin, or rather the beautiful development which 
it ha^ reached in England within the last three centuries. The art 
which reproduces the wildness of rude nature, and that which 
softens the rudeness and creates polished beauty in its place, are 
equally arts of gardening. So too are the further arts by which 
plants and trees are moulded into unusual forms, and blended by 
studied symmetries with the purely artificial works of architecture. 
All are legitimate, and no one style may say to another, " Thou art 
false because thou hast no prototype in nature," since our dwellings 
and all the conveniences of civilized life would be equally false if 
judged by that standard. However diverse the modes of decora- 
tive gardening in different countries, all represent some ideal form 
of beauty, and illustrate that diversity of human tastes which is not 
less admirable than the diversity of productions in vegetable nature. 

That may be considered good gardening around suburban 
homes which renders the dwelling the central interest of a picture, 
which suggests an intention to produce a certain type of embellish- 
ment, and which harmoniously realizes the type intended, whether 
it be a tree-flecked meadow, a forest glade, a copse belted lawn, a 
formal old French garden, a brilliant parterre, or a general blend- 
ing of artfully grown sylvan and floral vegetation with architectural 
forms. 

Not to reproduce the rudeness of Nature, therefore, but to 
adapt her to our civilized necessities, to idealize and improve, 
to condense and appropriate her beauties, to eliminate the dross 
from her vegetable jewels, and give them worthy setting — these are 
the aims of Decorative Gardeninsf. 




CHAPTER I I. 

DECORATIVE PL ANTING— WHAT CONSTITUTES IT? 

" He who sees my park, sees into my heart !" — Prince Puckler to Bettina Von Arnim. 

THE objects sought in Decorative Planting are various. 
The simple pleasure of working among and developing 
beautiful natural productions is one ; the desire to make 
one's place elegant and attractive to other's eyes, and 
therefore a source of pride to the possessor, is also one of the 
strongest objects with many. To have a notably large variety of 
flowers, shrubs, or trees, is a very common form of planting enthu- 
siasm ; and the passion for some special and complete display of 
certain species of flowers (florists' hobbies) is another. Finally, 
and highest of all, is the appreciation of, and desire to create with ver- 
dant Nature, charming effects of sunlight and shadow, or lovely exam- 

2 



18 DECORATIVE PLANTING. 

pies, in miniature, of what we call landscapes. Decorative Planting 
should have for its highest aim the beautifying of Home, In com- 
bination with domestic architecture, it should make every man's 
home a beautiful picture. As skillful stonecutting, or bricklaying, 
or working in wood, does not make of the artisan an architect, or 
his work a fine art, so the love of trees, shrubs, and flowers, and 
their skillful cultivation, is but handling the tools of the landscape 
gardener — it is not gardening, in its most beautiful meaning. The 
garden of the slothful, overgrown with weeds and brambles, could 
not have been much more ugly to look upon than many flower- 
gardens, in which the whole area is a wilderness of annuals and 
perennials, of all sorts and sizes and conditions of life, full of beau- 
tifial bloom if we examine them in detail, and yet, as a whole, re- 
pulsive to refined eyes as a cob-webbed old furniture museum, 
crammed with heterogeneous beauties and utilities. Such gardens 
cannot be called decorative planting. They are merely bouquet 
nurseries of the lowest class, or botanical museums. Neither the 
loveliness of flowers, nor the beauties of trees and shrubs, alone, 
will make a truly beautiful place, unless arranged so that the spe- 
cial beauty of trees, plants, and flowers is subordinated to the gen- 
eral effect. An attempt to make good pictures by hap-hazard 
applications to the canvas of the finest paint colors, is not much 
more sure to result in failure than the usual mode of filling yards 
with choice trees, shrubs, and flowers. It is as easy to spoil a 
place with too many flowers as to mar good food with a superfluity 
of condiments. The same may be said of a medley plantation of 
the finest trees or shrubs. Numbers will not make great beauty 
or variety; on the contrary, they will often destroy both. That is 
the best art which produces the most pleasing pictures with the 
fewest materials. Milton, in two short lines, thus paints a home: 

** Hard by a cottage chimney smokes, 
From between two aged oaks." 

Here is a picture ; t^vo trees, a cottage, and green sward — these 
are all the materials. Unfortunately the " two aged oaks," or their 
equivalents, are not at hand for all our homes. 

Has the reader ever noticed some remarkably pleasant old 



DECORATIVE PLANTING. 



19 



home, where little care seemed taken to make it so ; and yet with 
an air of comfort, and even elegance, that others, with wealth lav- 
ished upon them, and a professional gardener in constant employ, 
with flowers, and shrubs, and trees in profusion, yet all failing to 
convey the same impression of a pleasant home ? Be assured that 
the former (though by accident it may be) is the better model of 
the two. A well-cut lawn, a few fine trees, a shady back-ground 
with comfortable-looking out-buildings, are the essentials ; and 
walks, shrubs, and flowers, only the embellishments and finishing 
touches of the picture. Only the finishing touches — but what a 
charm of added expression and beauty there may be in those per- 
fecting strokes ! How a verdant gate-way arch frames the common 
walk into a picture view ; how a long opening of lawn gives play- 
room for the sunlight to smile and hide among the shadows of bor- 
dering shrubs and trees ; how an opening here, in the shrubs, 
reveals a pretty neighborhood vista ; how a flower-bed there, 
brightens the lawn like a smile on the face of beauty ; how a swing 
suspended from the strong, outstretched arm of a noble tree attracts 
the children, whose ever-changing groups engage the eye and inter- 
est the heart ; how a delicate foliaged tree, planted on yonder mar- 
gin, glows with the light of the afternoon sun, or with airy undula- 
tions trembles against the twilight sky, till it seems neither of the 
earth or the sky, but a spirit of life wavering between earth and 
heaven ! 

Let us, then, define Decorative Planting to be the art of pic- 
ture making and picture framing, by means of the varied forms of 
vegetable growth. 





7 ] T 

CHAPTER I I 1 



WHAT KIND OF HOME GROUNDS WILL BEST SUIT BUSINESS MEN, 
AND THEIR COST. 

" Nature is immovable and yet mobile ; that is her eternal charm. Her unwearied activity, 
her ever-shifting phantasmagoria, do not weary, do not disturb ; this harmonious motion bears in 
itself a profound repose."— Madame Michelet. 



I 



T is always a difficult matter to keep the happy medium be- 
tween extravagance and parsimony. This uncertainty will 
be felt by every business man of moderate means who begins 



FOB BUSINESS MEN. 21 

the expenditures about a suburban home. All men, who are not 
either devoid of fine tastes, or miserly, desire to have as much 
beauty around them as they can pay for and maintain ; but few 
persons are familiar with the means which will gratify this desire 
with least strain on the purse. Two men of equal means, with 
similar houses and grounds to begin with, will often show most 
diverse results for their expenditures ; one place soon becoming 
home-like, quiet, and elegant in its expression, and the other fussy, 
cluttered, and unsatisfactory. The latter has probably cost the 
most money; it may have the most. trees, and the rarest flowers ; 
more rustic work, and vases, and statuary ; but the true effect of all 
is wanting. The difference between the two places is like that 
between the sketch of a trained artist, who has his work distinctly 
in his mind before attempting to represent it, and then sketches it 
in simple, clear outlines ; and the untutored beginner, whose abun- 
dance of ideas are of so little service to him that he draws, and 
re-draws, and rubs out again, till it can hardly be told whether it is 
a horse or a cloud that is attempted. If the reader has any doubt 
of his own ability to arrange his home grounds with the least waste 
expenditure, he should ask some friend, whose good taste has been 
proved by trial, to commend him to some sensible and experienced 
designer of home-grounds. 

It may be set down as a fair approximation of the expense of 
good ground improvements, that they will require about one-tenth 
of the whole cost of the buildings. Premising that the erection of 
the dwelling generally precedes the principal expenses of beauti- 
fying the grounds, this amount will be required during the two 
years following the completion of the house. If the land must be 
cleared of rocks, or much graded, or should require an unusually 
thorough system of tile-drainage, that proportion might be insuffi- 
cient ; but if the ground to be improved is in good shape, well 
drained, rich, and furnished with trees, a very much smaller pro- 
portion might be enough ; and almost the only needful expense, 
would be that which would procure the advice and direction of 
some judicious landscape gardener. As a good lawyer often best 
earns his retainer by advising against litigation, so a master of 



22 HOME GROUNDS 

gardenesque art may often save a proprietor enough, to pay for all 
that will be needed, by advising him what not to attempt. 

But it is on bare, new grounds, that there will be most room for 
doubt of what to attempt. The man who must leave his home 
after an early breakfast to attend to his office or store business, 
and who only returns to dinner and tea, must not be beguiled into 
paying for the floral and arboricultural rarities that professional 
florists and tree-growers grow enthusiastic over, unless the home 
members of his family are appreciative amateurs in such things. 
Tired with town labor, his home must be to him a haven of repose. 
Gardeners' bills are no pleasanter to pay than butchers' and tai- 
lors' bills, and the satisfaction of paying either depends on the 
amount of pleasure received, or hoped to be received, from the 
things paid for. A velvety lawn, flecked with sunlight and the 
shadows of common trees, is a very inexpensive, and may be a 
very elegant refreshment for the business-wearied eye; and the 
manner in which it is kept will affect the mind in the same way as 
the ill or well-ordered house-keeping of the wife. But the beauties 
and varied peculiarities of a fine collection of trees, shrubs, and 
flowers require a higher culture of the taste, and more leisure for 
observation, than most business men have. All women are lovers 
of flowers, but few American ladies are yet educated in that higher 
garden culture — the art of making pictures with trees, lawn, and 
flowers. Without this culture, or a strong desire for it, it is best 
that the more elegant forms of gardening art should be dispensed 
with, and only simple effects attempted. Now a freshly mown 
meadow is always beautiful, and a well-kept lawn alone produces 
that kind of beauty. But the meadow or lawn, without a tree, is 
tame and monotonous. Large trees are necessary to enliven their 
beauty. A well-built house, with broad porch or veranda, may ena- 
ble one to get along very comfortably without the shade of trees to 
protect its inmates from the excessive heat of the sun ; but the play 
of light and shade in the foliage of trees, and upon the lawn, is as 
needful food for the eye as the sunny gayety of children is to the 
heart. These two things, then, are the most essential to the busi- 
ness man's home— a fine lawn and large trees. The former may be 
produced in a year ; the latter must be bought ready grown on the 



FOR BUSINESS MEN. id 

ground. No amount of money spent at nurseries will give, in 
twenty years, the dignified beauty of effect that a few fine old trees 
will realize as soon as your house and lawn are completed. 

But, unfortunately, the mass of men are obliged by business 
necessities, or other circumstances which are imperative, to build 
on sites not blessed with large trees. To enable them to make the 
most of such places, it is hoped that the succeeding chapters will 
point the way. 

There is one hobby connected with removing from a city house 
to one " with some ground around it," which has been happily cari- 
catured by some modern authors. We refer to the enthusiastic 
longing for fresh vegetables "of our own raising." A wealthy citi- 
zen, who had been severely seized with some of these horticultural 
fevers, invited friends to dine with him at his country-seat. The 
friends complimented his delicious green corn. "It is capital, 
I'm glad you appreciate it," said he ; " it is from my own grounds, 
and by a calculation made a few days since I find that the season's 
crop will cost me only ten dollars an ear." Certainly this is an 
extreme case ; but among the expensive luxuries for a business 
man's home a large kitchen garden is one of the most costly. 
Grass, and trees, and flowers, give daily returns in food for our eyes, 
seven months of the year, and cost less ; yet many good housewives 
and masters spend more in growing radishes, lettuce, peas, beans, 
and even such cheap things as cabbages and potatoes, than it 
would cost 'to buy just as good articles, and maintain, besides, a 
lawn full of beauties. Vegetable gardening is a good and profita- 
ble business on a large scale, but on a small scale is not often 
made so, except by the good Dutch women, who can plant, hoe, 
and market their own productions, and live on the remainders. 
The kitchen garden does more to support the family of the gar- 
dener than the family of the proprietor, and it is respectfully sug- 
gested that the satisfaction of having one's table provided with 
"our Patrick's" peas and beans is not a high order of family 
pride. The professional gardener, who does the same business on 
a much larger scale, and vends his vegetables at our doors, is 
likely to grow them cheaper and just as good as we can grow them. 

But in the matter of fruit, it is different. There are some fruits 



34 HOME GROUNDS 

that can only be had in perfection ripened on the spot where they 
are to be eaten. All market fruit-growers are obliged to pick fruit 
before it is ripe, in order to have it bear transportation and keep 
well. We cannot, therefore, get luscious ripe fruit except by grow- 
ing it; and we advise business men of small means and small 
grounds to patronize the market for vegetables, but to grow their 
own strawberries, raspberries, peaches, and pears ; at least so far 
as they may without making the beauty of their grounds subordi- 
nate to the pleasures of the palate. The eye is a constant feeder, 
that never sates with beauty, and is ever refining the mind by the 
influence of its hunger ; but even luscious fruits give but a momen- 
tary pleasure, and that not seldom unalloyed by excess and cloying 
satiety. Nature is more lavish of her luxuries for the eye than of 
those for the stomach, and, in an economic point of view, it will be 
wise to take advantage of her generosity. To this end, it may be 
profitably borne in mind that pleasing distant or near views of 
country or city, of trees or houses, of sea or stream, which cost 
nothing to preserve or keep in order, are the best picture invest- 
ments that can be made; and to make charming verdant frames 
for these pictures as well as little " cabinet pieces " of your own 
for your neighbors to look in upon, will call into play the best skill 
in gardenesque designing. 

To make the most of common and inexpensive materials re- 
quires the same culture of the eye and the mind, as the manipulation 
of the rarest. To produce an effective picture with a single color 
requires the same talent that would produce only more brilliant 
effects with all the colors of the palette. The most needed advice 
to novices in suburban home-making is this : if you can afford to 
spend but little on your grounds, study with the greater care what 
beauty outside of them can be made a part of the outlook from 
them ; do not introduce anything which will convey the impression 
that you desire to have anything look more expensive than it 
really is; dispense with walks and drives except where they are 
required for the daily comfort of your family ; eschew rustic orna- 
ments, unless of the most substantial and un-showy character, aiid 
in shadowy locations ; avoid spotting your lawn with garish carpen- 
try, or plaster or marble images of any kind, or those lilliputian 



FOR BUSINESS MEN. 25 

caricatures on Nature and Art called rock-work; and, finally, by 
the exquisite keeping of what you have, endeavor to create an 
atmosphere of refinement about your place, such as a thorough lady 
housekeeper will always throw around her house, however small or 
plain it may be. 

As the wife and family are the home-bodies of a residence, the 
business man of a city who chooses a home out of it should feel 
that he is not depriving them of the pleasures incident to good 
neighborly society. During his daily absence, while his mind is 
kept in constant activity by hourly contact with his acquaintances, 
the family at home also need some of the enlivening influences of 
easy intercourse with their equals, and should not be expected to 
find entire contentment in their household duties, with no other 
society day after day than that of their own little circle, and the 
voiceless beauty of grass, flowers, and trees. A throng of argu- 
ihents for and against what is vaguely called country life suggest 
themselves in this connection, some of which are treated of in the 
following chapter, in which suburban and country homes are con- 
trasted. The former, as we would have them, involve no banish- 
ment from all that is good in city life, but are rather the elegant 
culmination of refined tastes, which cannot be gratified in the city ; 
the proper field for the growth of that higher culture which finds in 
art, nature, and congenial society combined, a greater variety of 
pleasures than can be found in the most luxurious homes between 
the high walls of city houses ; a step in advance of the Indian-like 
craving for beads, jewelry, and feathers, which distinguishes the 
cit}' civilization of the present day. Choosing a home out of the 
city simply because it can be secured more cheaply than in it, is 
not the kind of plea for a suburban life which we would present, 
yet we urge that at a given cost of home and living it yields a far 
greater, variety of healthful pleasures, and a fuller, freer, happier 
life for man, woman, and child, than a home in the city. 




CHAPTER IV. 

SUBUEBAl? NEIGHBOKHOODS COMPAEED WITH COUNTEY PLACES. 

" 'Twas town, yet country too ; you felt the warmth 
Of clustering houses in the wintry time." — Geo. Eliot. 

LANDSCAPE GARDENING, on a grand scale, in this 
country, is only to be accomplished in public parks and 
^ cemeteries. Parks of considerable extent, as private 

property, are impracticable, by reason of the transient 
nature of family wealth, in a republic where both the laws and the 
industrial customs favor rapid divisions and new distributions. 



SUBURBAN NUIGHB ORSO OD S. 27 

Attempts to make and keep great private parks are generally con- 
spicuous failures. Some of the old family parks on the Hudson 
River, and a few in other parts of the country, may be thought of 
as exceptions, but they are exceptions which rather prove the rule ; 
for most of them are on portions of manorial grants, held under 
almost feudal titles, which have remained in the same families 
through several generations, simply because they are held under 
laws which present a jarring contrast with the general laws of prop- 
erty which now govern in most of the States. Great fortunes can- 
not be lavished perennially for half a century to keep them up, 
where fortunes are so seldom made or kept in families of high cul- 
tivation — the only ones which are likely to be led by their tastes, 
or qualified by their education, to direct such improvements suc- 
cessfully. It is from this lack of cultivation, and from sheer ignor- 
ance of the fine arts, the great expenditures and the generations of 
patient waiting for results, which are all necessary to produce such 
works, that so many wealthy men stumble and break their fortunes 
in ridiculous attempts to improvise parks. It would be well for 
our progress in Landscape Gardening that this word park, as 
applied to private grounds, should be struck out of use, and that 
those parts of our grounds which are devoted to what feeds the eye 
and the heart, rather than the stomach, should be called simply 
Home-grounds ; and that the ambition of private wealth in our 
republic should be to make gems of home beauty on a small scale, 
rather than fine examples of failures on a large scale. A township 
of land, with streets, and roads, and streams, dotted with a thou- 
sand suburban homes peeping from their groves ; with school-house 
towers and gleaming spires among them ; with farm fields, pastures, 
woodlands, and bounding hills or boundless prairies stretched 
around ; — these, altogether, form our suburban parks, which all of 
us may ride in, and walk in, and enjoy ; and the most lavish expen- 
ditures of private wealth on private grounds can never equal their 
extent, beauty, or variety. 

A serious inconvenience of extensive private grounds, or parks, 
is the isolation and loneliness of the habitual inmates of the house — 
the ladies. Few, even of those who have a native love for rural 
life, can long live contented without pleasant near neighbors. A 



28 SUBURBAN NEIGHBORHOODS. 

large family may feel this less than a small one. Those who have 
the means, the health, and the disposition to entertain much com- 
pany at home, will escape the feeling of loneliness. But much 
company brings much care. It is paying a high price for company 
when one must keep a free hotel to secure it. To do without it, 
however, soon suggests to the ladies that fewer acres, and more 
friends near by, would be a desirable change ; and not knowing the 
facility with which the happy medium may be reached, they are apt 
to jump at the conclusion that, of the two privations — life in the 
country without neighborly society, or life in the city without the 
charms of Nature — the latter is the least. Thousands of beautiful 
homes are every year offered for sale, on which the owners have 
often crippled their fortunes by covering too much ground with 
their expenditures. Instead of retiring to the country for rest and 
strengthening recreation, they have added a full assortment of 
losing and vexatious employments in the country to their already 
wearisome but profitable business in the city. It is the ambition 
to have " parks " (young Chatsworths !) — to be model farmers and 
famous gardeners ; to be pomologists, with all the fruits of the 
nursery catalogues on their lists : in short, to add to the burden of 
their town business the cares of half a dozen other laborious pro- 
fessions, that finally sickens so many of their country places after a 
few years' experience with them. There is another large class of 
prosperous city men who have spent their early years on farms, 
and who cherish a deep love of the country through all their de- 
cennial rounds of city life ; who have no fanciful ambitions for 
parks ; whose dreams are of hospitable halls, broad pastures, and 
sweet meadows, fine cattle and horses. It is a less vexatious mesh 
of ambitions than the preceding, but one that requires a very 
thoughtful examination of the resources of the purse and the calls 
that will be made upon it, before purchasing the model farm that 
is to be. And we beg leave to intrude a little into the privacy of 
the family circle, to inquire how long will the wife and daughters 
be contented with isolation on ever so beautiful a farm ; how long 
before the boys will leave home for business or homes of their 
own ; and how long, if these are dissatisfied, or absent, will the 
"fine mansion" and broad fields, in a lonely locality, bring peace 



SUBURBAN NEI G HB BH D S. 29 

and comfort to the owner ? That there are men and families that 
truly fill, enjoy, and honor such life, it is good to know ; but they 
are cluster-jewels of great rarity. 

Our panacea for the town-sick business man who longs for a 
rural home, whether from ennui of the monotonousness of business 
life, or from the higher nature-loving soul that is in him, is to take 
country life as a famishing man should take food — in very small 
quantities. Fro77i a half acre to four or five acres will afford ground 
enough to give all the finer pleasures of rural life. The suburbs of 
most cities, of from five to fifty thousand people, will have sites at 
reasonable prices, within easy walking distance of business, where 
men of congenial tastes and friendly families may make purchases, 
and cluster their improvements so as to obtain all the benefits of 
rural pleasures, and many of the beauties of park scener}', without 
relinquishing the luxuries of town life. 

In the neighborhood of large cities, horse and steam railways, 
and steamers, transport in a few minutes their thousands of tired 
workers to cheerful villages, or neighborly suburban homes, envi- 
roned with green fields and loveable trees. To be thus transported 
from barren city streets to the verdant country is a privilege for 
which we cannot be too grateful. But, if we are to choose a sub- 
urban residence for the whole year (not migrating to a city home 
or hotel with the first chills of November), it is a serious matter to 
know whether there is a good hard road and sidewalk to the home. 
City life, with its flagging, and gas lights, and pavements, comes 
back to the imagination couleur de rose when your horses or your 
boots are toiling through deep mud on country roads. This is bad 
enough by daylight ; at night you might feel like stopping to be- 
stow a benediction on a post that would sparkle gas-light across 
your path. Now the moral which we would suggest by thus pre- 
senting the most disagreeable feature of suburban life, is this : to go 
no farther into the country than where good roads have already 
been made, and where good sidewalks have either been made, or, 
from the character or growth of the neighborhood, are pretty sure 
to be made within a short time. Some persons must, of course, be 
pioneers. Those who locate in a new suburban neighborhood 
expect to buy their lots enough cheaper than the later comers to 



30 SUBURBAN NEIGHBORHOODS. 

compensate for the inconveniences of a sparse neighborhood. 
But, in playing pioneer, one must be pretty sure that followers are 
on the track, for "hope deferred maketh the heart sick." One of 
the greatest drawbacks to the improvement of suburban neighbor- 
hoods is the fact that many persons own long fronts on the roads 
who are not able to make the thorough improvement of roads and 
sidewalks in front of their grounds which the new-comers, located 
beyond them, require. This should have been foreseen by the 
new-comers. Having chosen their homes with the facts before 
them, they must not complain if some poor farmer or " land-poor " 
proprietor is unable to improve for their benefit, and unwilling to 
sell at their desire. In choosing a suburban home, the character 
of the ownerships between a proposed location and the main street 
or railroad station should be known, and influence to some extent 
one's choice. 

The advantages cannot be too strongly urged, of forming com- 
panies of congenial gentlemen to buy land enough for all. Select a 
promising locality, divide the property into deep narrow strips, if 
the form of the ground will admit of it, having frontages of one, 
two, or three hundred feet each, according to the means respec- 
tively of the partitioners, and as much depth as possible. A 
depth four times as great as the frontage is the best form of subur- 
ban lots for improvement in connection with adjoining neighbors. 
Lots of these proportions insure near neighbors, and good walks 
and roads in their fronts, at least. Acting together, the little com- 
munity can create a local pressure for good improvements that will 
have its effect on the entire street and neighborhood. In subse- 
quent chapters we propose to show how such neighbors may im- 
prove their grounds in connection with each other, so as to realize 
some pleasing effects of artistic scenery at a comparatively small 
expense to each owner. Even the luxury of gas in our suburban 
houses and roads is quite practicable in the mode of dividing and 
improving property which we have recommended ; and with good 
roads, sidewalks, and gas, added to the delightfulness of rural 
homes, no healthy-hearted family would wish to have their perma- 
nent home in a dark and narrow city house. Our cities would 
gradually become great working-hives, but not homes, for a major- 



SUBURBAN NEIGHBORHOODS. 31 

ity of their people. It may be said that such homes as we speak 
of, in the suburbs of great cities, would be simply village resi- 
dences. It is true ; but they would be villages of a broader, more 
generous, and cosmopolitan character than old-fashioned villages. 
Post-offices, shops and groceries, butchers, bakers, blacksmiths, 
shoemakers, and laborers of all kinds must be near by, and a 
part of our community, or there would be no living at all ; but 
where a large, and probably the most wealthy, part of the inhabit- 
ants go daily to the city centre to transact business, the amount of 
traffic carried on in the village or suburban centre will not be large 
enough to seriously injure the general rural character of the vicin- 
it}\ The stir of thrifty industry is in itself refreshing, and the 
attractions of lecture, concert, and dancing halls, and ice-cream re- 
sorts, cannot be dispensed with. 

We believe this kind of half-country, half-town life, is the happy 
medium, and the realizable ideal for the great majority of well-to- 
do Americans. The few families who have a unanimity of warm 
and long-continued love for more isolated and more picturesquely 
rural, or more practically rural homes, are exceptions. The mass 
of men and women are more gregarious. Very poetical or reflec- 
tive minds, or persons absorbed in mutual domestic loves, iind 
some of their deepest pleasure in seclusion with Nature. But the 
zest even of their calm pleasures in the country is greatly height- 
ened by frequent contrasts with city excitements, and by the com- 
pany of sympathetic minds, who enjoy what they enjoy. A philo- 
sophic Frenchman, who lived much alone, was once asked by a 
lady if he did not find solitude very sweet. He replied, " Indeed, 
madam, when you have some pleasant friend to whom you can say, 
' Oh, how sweet is solitude.' " A suburban home, therefore, meets 
the wants of refined and cultivated people more than any other. 




H 



CHAPTER V. 

BUILDING SITES AND GEOUND SURFACES. 

AVING, in the chapter on "Suburban Neighborhoods 
compared with Country Places," suggested the most 
desirable proportions for suburban lots, we propose in 
this to consider building sites with reference to their 
tree-furniture, their natural surfaces, and the better ways of im- 
proving them. But it may not be superfluous to repeat, that where 
the form of the lot can be determined by the purchaser, a propor- 
tion where the depth is from three to four times as great as the 
frontage is usually the most desirable. 

A varied surface is, of course, a great desideratum ; yet, for 
quite small grounds, abruptness or picturesqueness is seldom com- 
patible with the high keeping that is essential near the dwelling. 



BUILDING SITES. 33 

Occasionally, in rocky situations, or on the border of a running 
brook, such sites may be charmingly harmonized with the practical 
requirements of the dwelling and outbuildings ; but they are excep- 
tional. The great mass of house sites are smooth swells or levels. 
Trees already grown are invaluable. To have them, or not to 
have them, is, to speak in business phrase, to begin with capital or 
without it. As capital draws to itself capital, so trees are magnets 
of home beaut}', towards which domestic architecture, the gardener's 
arts, and varied family enjoyments are most naturally attracted. But 
there are trees whose age and habits of growth are not such as to 
give them high value. Forest trees, which have attained a loft}^ 
height, are not only dangerous in proximity to a dwelling, but • are 
also likely to maintain a sort of living death when their contempo- 
rary trees are cut from around them — putting forth their leaves 
annually, it is true, but dying limb by limb at their summits, and 
scattering on the ground their dead twigs and branches. No 
grandeur of lofty trunk can mitigate the danger from spring 
winds or summer tempests that may bring its crushing weight 
upon the house and its inmates. But trees which have grown 
broadly in open ground, and lashed their arms and toughened their 
fibres in the gales of half a century, may be relied on to brood pro- 
tectingly over a home ; and few among these are more loveable in 
blossom, shade, and fruit, than fine old apple-trees. There is 
another class of trees which have little beauty as environments of 
a dwelling. We refer to " second-growth " trees, which have grown 
thickly together, and which, though valuable for their shade, form 
rather a nursery of rough poles, with a valuable mass of foliage 
over them, than an ornamental grove. Rough woods are quite too 
common in this country, and too rude in all their looks and ways, 
to be welcomed to our cultivated homes as we welcome the civil- 
ized and polished members of the tree family. But such dense 
groves of second-growth trees usually have many specimens among 
them well worth preserving, and which, if twenty feet high or up- 
wards, will better repay good nursing and care than any young 
trees that can be planted to fill their places. The proprietor of 
such a building site is much more likely to err, however, in leaving 
too many than too few ; and the thorough cutting out of the grove, 
3 



34 



BUILDING SITES 



which a landscape artist will insist on, may seem like wholesale 
slaughter to the owner. 

Trees which have grown up singly, or in groups of a few only, 
exposed on all sides to the full glow of the sun and air, are worth 
more than a whole catalogue of nursery stuff for immediate and 
permanent adornment. It is surprising how little additional price 
most purchasers are willing to pay for lots that are enriched by 
such native trees, while they willingly expend ten times their cost 
in the little beginnings of trees procured from nurseries. One fine- 
spreading tree, of almost any native variety, is of inestimable value 
in home adornment. Few exotic trees are so beautiful as our- 
finest natives, and nothing that we can plant will so well repay the 
most lavish enrichment of the soil to promote its growth as one of 
these trees " to the manor born." In locating a house with ref- 
erence to fine trees already growing, it is much better to have them 
behind, or overhanging the sides, than to have them in front ; the 
object being to make them a setting, or frame-work, for the house ; 
to have the house embowered in them, rather than shut out behind 
them. 

Let us now consider some different forms of ground surfaces. 



Fig. I. 




Ground which rises from the street, so that where it meets the 
house it is about on a level with the top of an ordinary fence at the 
street line, is a good form of surface. This rise should not, how- 
ever, be on a plane from the street boundary to the dwelling. The 
lawn, and whatever is planted, will show to much better advantage 
if the rise takes the form of the arc of a circle, as shown in Fig. i, 
section A, on which the front steps of the house are indicated at a, 
the front fence at b, and the street sidewalk at c. 

Or, for increasing the apparent extent of the ground, the curve 



AND GROUND SURFACES. 35 

rising more rapidly near the fence may be an improvement, as 
shown in section B, of the same cut. 

Fig. 2. 




Sections C and D, of Fig. 2, illustrate three less common, and 
perhaps more elegant forms for ground surfaces next to the street. 
Back of the fence, at a, is a strip of ground, level with the side- 
walk, not more than a foot wide, which should be kept free from 
grass by the hoe. The grass at the bottom of the terrace slope 
can then be trimmed to a line parallel with the fence. The effect 
is very pretty ; and as it would be difficult to keep grass neatly cut 
at the bottom of such a slope so near the fence, this plan saves 
labor. The lower line on section C, of the same cut, shows a form 
that may be substituted for the terrace slope ; and at D is another 
form more gardenesque than either. 

It is surprising how much larger grounds look which show such 
surfaces than those which are on a plane, level with the street. A 
quick rise from the street has the disadvantage, when the distance 
from the house to the gate is short, of requiring steps to gain the 
rise near the gate. Though no serious objection in summer, they 
are often dangerous in winter, especially to old people. In towns, 
a choice between such surfaces is frequently necessitated by the 
grading of a street a few feet below the level of adjacent lots. 
These should never be walled next to the street the full height of 
the excavation. The cuts just described illustrate appropriate 
modes of shaping the surface of the ground next to the street 
where .the grade has not cut more than four feet below the general 
level at the street line. Grass slopes, behind light fences, are 
not only much cheaper than stone walls, but add more to the 
beauty of the grounds. 

Fig. 3 shows a more elegant treatment of the same sort of sur- 



36 BUILDING SITES 

face for a deeper and larger lot. Here a space, at least wide 
enough to swing a scythe easily, is left between the fence and the 
first grass terrace. It must not be less than six feet wide, nor 
more than one-sixth of the distance from the fence to the house 
steps. Another grass terrace around the house is shown at C. 




/ // 



Two terraces of this kind are as many as any ordinary place will 
bear. To break a small lawn into a multiplicity of terraces is a 
sure means of spoiling it. This form of surface is well adapted to 
be carried around three sides of a block embracing several resi- 
dences, the fronts of which should be from 80 to 150 feet from the 
street, and the lower grass plat at a from 10 to 20 feet wide. 

Fig. 4 shows two forms of treating a bank made by a deeper 
street-cut — say from six to eight feet. Owners frequently wall 

Fig. 4. 



r 






._ J 



such street lines the whole height of the cut. No more foolish ex- 
penditure can be incurred, both in an economic and artistic point 
of view. It is ' difficult to make such a wall that will resist the 
enormous pressure of the earth when frosts disintegrate, and heavy 
rains soften it. If constructed so that it can resist for years this 
interior pressure, it must be by the expenditure of a sum of money 
that might create ten times the beauty if expended in other ways. 



AND GROUND SURFACES. 



37 



A solid wall from two to three feet above the sidewalk level is as 
high as we would advise on street lines from which it is intended 
that grounds shall show their beauty. On Fig. 2, sections C and 
D, where the street cut is three or four feet, the ground-slope down 
to the sidewalk, as shown by the formal terraces, and the lower 
line, on section C, is more pleasing than any wall. 

But for the deep cut illustrated by Fig. 4, it is an open question 
whether, as some kind of fence will be necessary, a partial wall, as 
at /, may not effect that object, and produce the best form of 
ground surface. It will be seen by the enlarged section a that the 
coping of the low wall (say 3 feet) is to be cut so as to make its 
outer surface a continuation of the sloping bank above. This will 
make a pretty effect, and no other fence will be required ; but the 
wall must be of great strength. The lower line being merely a 
sloping bank of grass, would require another kind of fence, and to 
be treated as at a, Fig. 2. 

Fig. 5 is intended to illustrate the prettier effect that may be 
produced by making use of small inequalities of the ground, instead 



Fig. 5. 




of grading to a uniform slope. It does not show just the surface it 
was intended to show, but will suggest to the observer the greater 
possibility of pleasing effects than on a uniform plane. 

Where a natural elevation for a house occurs a few rods from 
the street, with an intervening level between it and the street, it is 
usually better to preserve its form, than to grade down and fill up 
to bring the whole lot to what some persons are pleased to term "a 
correct grade." Fig. 6 illustrates what is meant ; the natural sur- 
face is a graceful form, and the most capable of decorative effect. 

Though rising ground is usually more valued than that which 



38 



BUILDING SITES 



is below the level of the road, it is not always more desirable. If 
a dwelling-site has its main walks to the doors on a level with the 
street, and a part of the ground lower, but relatively higher than 



Fig. 6, 




other grounds farther back, the location may be capable of more 
beautiful effects than a plain swell. A bird's-eye view over small 
grounds is so rare that any approach to it is a pleasing novelty, 
and the opportunities to obtain such effects should be made the 
most of. The most lovely views the world can boast are narrow 
valleys seen from adjacent hills. Figs. 7 and 8 are sections show- 
ing pleasing forms of surfaces below the level of the street, but 
overlooking lower ground farther back. 

A building site may even be much lower than its street en- 
trance, as in Figs. 7 and 8, where the level of the road is shown 




at a, on the condition already named, //laf the ground ifi its 
rear be still lower relatively. A cottage in the spirit of the Swiss 
style, in such a locality, would be quite appropriate, or, indeed, 
any style in which the roof lines are both prominent and grace- 



AND GROUND SURFACES. 



39 



ful. It is essential, however, that the house site should not 
have the appearance of being in a basin, much less be so in 
factj for the latter would be a miserable inconvenience in wet 
weather, and the mere supposition of such a situation would make 
the site seem undesirable even if the soil and drainage were per- 
fect. Such locations should not be basins with reference to the 
surrounding land, however dry the soil, as in that case the damp 
evening and morning air would settle in them. But if the rear 
ground, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, is the bank of a stream or valley, 
down to which the damp cool air will flow, then such sites may 
really be freer from morning and evening damps than much higher 
ground which is not high relatively to other ground near by. 

A form of ground surface is especially desirable, for small lots, 
on which side-hill houses, blending the character of city basements 
and village cottages, will look well. Fig. 7 represents one form 

Fig. 8. 




that might be suggested for such a site, and Fig. 9 a mode of treat- 
ing the ground of a town lot which is below the street level. 

In Fig. 7, nearly all of the lot is supposed to be behind the 
house, the front being connected by a short, straight walk with the 
street, and by a diverging curved walk with the basement entrance 
on the rear plateau, where it is supposed the kitchen and dining- 
room are located. 

Fig. 9 illustrates the 'treatment of a corner lot, around which 
the streets have been graded considerably above the lot surface. 
Instead of filling the lot to the street level, it should be treated as 
here shown ; and there is no question that the house is not only 
better, but the ground improvement is far more pleasing than it 
could have been made on a level with the street. 



40 BUILDING SITES 

After all, the vast majority of building sites are pretty nearly 
level surfaces, and if we will but learn to develop all the beauty 
that such are capable of, there will be little cause to envy the 

Fig. q. 




possession of more varied surfaces. Most of the designs which 
follow will be for such places, as they can be planned with more 
certainty of being useful to a great number of persons. Varied 
surfaces require such thorough knowledge of each peculiarity of 
the ground, the drainage required, the difference of levels, the na- 
ture of the trees, or rocks, or water, that may be upon it, that their 
features must not only be seen, but carefully surveyed and platted, 
in order to be planned to advantage ; and even then the skill of an 
artist-gardener will be essential to their judicious improvement, 
unless the proprietor is a person of unusual taste in such matters. 
Many persons involve themselves in useless expenditures on such 
sites from misdirected zeal for improvement, and ignorance of what 
not to attempt. Uneven sites also necessitate greater skill in the 
architect, in adapting the house to the ground. It is by such adap- 
tations, happily executed, that the difference between architects of 
fine native taste and culture, and mere routine designers, is occa- 
sionally illustrated. And the same faculty for the happy adapta- 
, tion of one mode of planting or another to suit different ground 
surfaces, to develop the best effects of existing trees, to turn a rock 
or a brook to the best account, is that which distinguishes the 
artistic from the commonplace planter. 



and ground surfaces. 41 

Drainage. 

The absolute necessity of deep subsoil drainage is known to 
all intelligent agriculturists and gardeners ; but on the supposition 
that among our readers are town-bred people who have not had 
occasion to become well-informed in even the rudiments of horti- 
culture, we will state broadly, that deep and thorough sub-soil 
drainage is the most essential of all preparations for the growth of 
trees and shrubs ; without which neither care nor surface enrich- 
ment of the soil will develop their greatest beauty. Many valuable 
shrubs cannot survive the winters of the middle States in imper- 
fectly drained soils, which in those deeply drained and cultivated 
are hardy and healthy. In Chapter XVIII, on the philosophy of 
deep drainage and cultivation, and the treatment of half-hardy 
trees and shrubs, to which, in this connection, the reader's atten- 
tion is earnestly invited, the results of drainage are more fully 
treated. The same causes which make the most thorough drain- 
age of the soil a /r^-requisite to success in growing half-hardy 
trees, act with equal efficiency to give fuller health and greater vigor 
to those which are hardy. The white oak may continue to grow, 
in a slow and meagre way, in a soil filled during most of the year 
with superfluous moisture ; but if that same soil were deeply and 
completely drained the annual growth would be doubled, and the 
increased abundance and finer color of the foliage becomes as 
marked as the difference between an uncultivated and a well-tilled 
field of corn. A lilac bush growing in a soil cold with constant 
moisture a little below the surface, will develop only surface roots j 
and having no deep hold in the soil, its main stems will hang to one 
side or another with a sort of inebriate weakness. But if the soil 
is dry, deep, and porous, when the plant is set out, the roots strike 
down deep and strong, the stem will exhibit a sturdy vigor, and the 
top a well-balanced, low-spreading luxuriance, never seen in cold 
undrained soils. Even willows, much as they love a moist soil, are 
much more healthy and symmetrical when planted in well-drained 
than in wet places ; — their peculiarity being to flourish best where 
their roots can find water by seeking it, as an animal goes to a 
stream and stoops to drink, but not by standing in it perpetually. 



43 BUILDING SITES 

Trees requiring much moisture, which grow close to streams or wet 
places, usually have their finest development when standing several 
feet above the level of the water in ground that is perfectly drained 
by the proximity of a watercourse, and which at the same time affords 
the roots an opportunity to drink at will when deep enough. 

No thorough gardener, or intelligent planter, is content with 
surface or open-ditch drainage. It is always insufficient, bungling, 
and untidy. The most perfect drainage is that formed by a gravelly 
soil underlaid with coarser gravel to a considerable depth. This 
is Nature's sub-soil drainage ; and it is a well-known fact that 
soils but meagrely supplied with vegetable and mineral food for 
plants — " poor soils " as they are often called, when judged by 
their appearance rather than their results — will yield better annual 
returns in crops than the richest undrained lands. Where Nature 
has provided this sub-soil drainage, other drains may not be neces- 
sary ; but there are few localities where the sub-soil is so perfect 
as to render artificial drainage superfluous. Where cellars are 
found to be always dry, though not provided with drains, the 
natural drainage may be considered perfect ; but it will not do to 
infer that because one spot is dry, without drains, that another a 
hundred feet from it, on a different altitude or exposure, is equally 
favored ; though large districts of country are occasionally found 
where good natural drainage is the rule, and springy sub-soils the 
exception. The writer has observed some very suggestive phe- 
nomena illustrating the relative efficiency of sub-soil and surface 
drainage. On the same slope of one large field, where the soil is a 
friable clay, one half the field had been sub-drained with lines 
of tile thirty feet apart and three feet deep, and the surface left 
level between them; the other half was plowed into " lands," or 
ridges of the same width, sloping down to ditches in the middle 
which were two feet below the level of the highest ground between 
them. After heavy rains the surface of the open-ditch part of the 
lot always glistened with moisture and was sticky for several days, 
although the descent was so rapid that the water seemed to run off 
immediately. On the sub-drained part, level as it was, the surface 
always had a dry spongy appearance, was free from superfluous 
moisture, and ready to be worked and pleasant to be walked upon 



AND GROUND SURFACES. 43 

in half the time required to dry the sticky surface of the other part 
of the field. The advantage did not stop here. The porous char- 
acter given to the soil by the formation of innumerable and invisi- 
ble channels in a vertical direction down through the earth to the 
drains below, had such a tendency to lighten the ground that it 
became much more capable than the harder-surfaced soil to resist 
drouth; and was just as much moister in very dry weather as it 
was dryer in wet weather. This is in consequence of the fact, 
well known to cultivators, that the more porous and deeply worked 
a soil is, the greater "is its power of absorbing moisture from the 
atmosphere in times of drouth. In sandy soils with clay sub- 
stratum the effect of drainage is quite as striking in its effect on 
the growth of plants and trees as in clayey lands, though not so 
necessary for comfort in walking upon, or working the soil. A 
wet sandy soil is more apt to be cold and sour than a clayey soil, 
notwithstanding its more comfortable surface; and the sandy loams 
known as " springy," which have veins of quicksand not far below 
the surface, are those which most need drainage, and which are 
most difficult to drain well. 

The top of a hill, or a steep hill-side, is as likely to need sub- 
soil drainage as the bottom of a valley. It is the nature of the sub- 
soil in each case, that renders drains necessary or superfluous, and 
not the relative altitude of the location. Land surveyors are 
familiar with the fact that swamps are most numerous in the 
neighborhood of summit-levels. 

Tile and other earthernware pipes are the best materials 
for common drains ; and for garden and suburban lot drainage, 
should be put down from three to four feet below the surface. 
Professional drainers, or tilers, who use long narrow spades and 
hoes can put down drains four or five feet deep with a small dis- 
placement of soil, and so rapidly that it is not an expensive opera- 
tion to drain thoroughly a half acre or acre suburban lot by a 
series of drains not more than twenty feet apart, provided there is 
a sewer or other good outlet near by. Persons who are about to 
build on suburban lots which require drainage, should have the 
work done in connection with the house main drain, which is 
usually deep enough to be used as a trunk drain for the land ; and 



44 BUILDING SITUS, ETC. 

all the needful connections can be made to better advantage when 
planned and executed at one time, ^han when pipes must be 
found and tapped for subsequent connections. When the work 
is done, the exact locality of the main drain, and all its connec- 
tions, should be marked with blue ink on a general plan of the 
house and grounds. 

Rats, mice, and moles frequently make their nests in tile-drains 
when there is no water in them, and may stop them completely. 
If the mouths of drains are always immersed in water, or if there 
is a constant flow of water through them, there will be little danger 
from this cause. But the best precaution is to fill one-third or one- 
half the depth of the ditch above the tile with coarse gravel around 
the tile, and broken stone, brick, or coal-clinkers above, putting 
a layer of sod over all. The deeper drains are located, the less 
danger there is of their becoming nests for these animals ; and the 
greater the fall, and the amount of running water, the more certain 
will they be to keep clean and serviceable. 

Where tile is used in a soil that has veins of quicksand open- 
ing in the sides of the ditch, it should be laid on a board bed, and 
surrounded and covered with straight straw, and then with coarse 
sand (which is not quicksand) or gravel on top of the straw ; 
otherwise the quicksand will get into, and clog the drain. 

There is considerable choice in tiles. One should be wilHng 
to pay a little extra for those which are unusually straight and 
smooth, as well as hard. In good clay-beds the round tile, which 
are a trifle the cheapest, answer very well, but the " sole-tile " — 
those which have a flat bottom and a round or egg-shaped tube — 
are better for most kind of works, the latter being the most 
perfect form of all. For house-drains of considerable importance, 
glazed pipes, which fit into each other with collars around the 
joints, are preferable. These, however, are not used so much for 
land drainage as for conduits of waste water from the house. Where 
it can be done so as not to create any offensive odor, all the 
water wastage from the house which contains fertilizing ingredients 
should be conducted to some reservoir, where, by mixing it with 
dry earth, or diluting it with pure water, it may be returned to 
the land. 




CHAPTER VI. 

DWELLINGS, OUTBUILDINGS, AND FENCES. 

* * * * " You shall see a man, Nay, that were insult ! He admires fine clothes, 

Who never drew a line or struck an arc, But trusts his tailor ! Only in those arts 

Direct an Architect and spoil his work, Which issue from creative potencies 

Because, forsooth, he likes a tasteful house I Does his conceit engage him." 
He likes a muffin, but he does not go Holland's Katrina. 

Into his kitchen to instruct his cook ; 



SO many excellent works have been published of late years 
on cottage and villa architecture, and so many compe- 
tent architects are to be found in our large towns and 
cities, that it seems almost an unpardonable offence 
against propriety in our day for any one to build an unsightly 



46 DWELLING Sf OUTBUILDINGS, 

cottage or mansion. If the reader contemplates building a house, 
we pray him to lose no time in obtaining and carefully reading 
some of these works ; and if he finds in them a plan and exte- 
rior that meet his wants, let him entrust no illiterate carpenter 
with their execution, but employ some competent architect, who 
will furnish all the drawings, not only of the dwelling itself, but 
of the stable and all the outbuildings. There is no better evi- 
dence of a vulgar taste, or an exhausted purse, than to see dwell- 
ings of some architectural pretension and expensive finish, with 
rude outbuildings, having no resemblance in style to the house, and 
seeming, by their incongruity, to say to every passer — "You see 
we are but poor relations." Decorating the street-front of the 
house only, or robbing the outbuildings to add finery to the dwell- 
ing, belongs to the same class of mistakes as that of the ostrich, 
which, in flying from danger, seeks a place in which to thrust its 
head only, and there thinks itself safe and unseen. Do not our 
friends, who think their outbuildings of little importance, reveal 
their foolishness in the same way ? 

There is an unfortunate tendency among our countrymen who 
are building houses, to be willing victims of some fashionable 
mania pertaining to architectural styles ; so that different eras of 
style in domestic architecture can be distinctly traced throughout 
our country by a multitude of examples of what were, in their day, 
called houses in "the classic styles," and their Doric, Ionic, and 
Corinthian varieties ; houses in " the Gothic style," with its rustic 
Norman, Tudor, Elizabethan, and Castellated varieties ; houses in 
"the Italian style," with bracketed, Romanesque, Lombard and 
Swiss varieties ; and lastly, those least grotesque, but often clumsy 
forms for small houses, " the French or Mansard-roof style ; " — a 
title that does not even assume to designate a style of architecture 
for an entire house, but fore-dooms a dwelling to be designed for 
the purpose of sustaining a certain fashionable hood of roofs. 
Hardly do we begin to adapt one style or another to our needs in 
building, with a tolerable degree of fitness and good taste, before 
some supposed new style, or novel feature of an old style, intrudes 
itself as "the fashion," and straightway builders throughout the 
breadth of our land vie with each other in numberless caricatures 



AND FENCES. ' 47 

of it. That new, or rather unfamiliar old styles are constantly being 
made known to us by beautiful photographic prints and engravings 
of the most remarkable existing architecture, is certainly cause 
for congratulation ; but the misfortune is that we use them as if 
their mere novelty, in whatever form adopted, and the fact of their 
being the latest mode, were alone sufficient evidence of their fitness 
and tastefulness. We forget the vast difference there is between 
obeying the behests of fashion in those things which pertain to 
articles of apparel that are usually worn out by the time the fashion 
changes, and building houses that must stand for many years, and 
which, if not designed so as to be truly and pleasingly adapted to 
the use intended, without any reference to the prevailing mode, will 
reinain objects of ridicule for all the period of their duration after 
their st}de has ceased to be fashionable. 

There is no style the mere adoption of which will secure a taste- 
ful house ; while a truly competent architect may design admirable 
houses with entire disregard of the formulas of established styles, 
as well as by the careful study and adaptation of them. The style 
should be in the brain and culture of the designer, and not in the 
age or associations of certain imported forms, which he may be re- 
quested to duplicate. But architects usually have their preferences 
in styles. They will be likely to succeed best in those which they 
like best. One will study Gothic more thoroughly than Italian 
forms, and will therefore design more tastefully in the spirit of the 
former. Another will excel in Italian, or classic forms ; and 
another still, with more cosmopolitan culture and creative art, with 
the taste to produce harmonious proportions, and with care to make 
a thorough adaptation of the means to the end, may develop most 
tasteful and appropriate designs with little reference to set forms. 

The persons for whom a house is to be designed are usually the 
best judges of their own domestic wants, and will generally furnish 
an architect with the rough floor plans of what they desire. Good 
architects will studiously conform to their wishes pertaining to the 
distribution of interior comforts, in such plans ; but when it comes 
to the matter of choosing a st>-le, they should be as litde trammeled 
as possible, save in its expense. That architects occasionally mislead 
those who are about to build, by lower estimates of the cost of ex- 



48 DWELLINGS, OUTBUILDINGS, 

ecuting their designs than what proves to be the actual cost, may be 
true ; but we have found that such complaints are apt to come from 
those who had not given the architect a full and frank statement of 
their wants and their limitations ; and oftener still from those who 
have merely consulted with an architect, obtained a few sketches, 
and his rough guess of the cost of what the proprietor says he wants, 
and endeavored to save the further cost of full sets of drawings 
and specifications, firom which alone an architect can make a true 
estimate. Then, after working up their plans with builders to 
whom the work is intrusted or contracted, and altering and adding 
as the work progresses, if they find the total cost to be much greater 
than the cost suggested by the architect, the latter is charged with 
the fault. The fact is, that when a man fancies he can be his 
own architect, his imagination is excited by the possibility of 
achieving a great many pleasant results by his own peculiarly 
fortunate talents ; and in endeavoring to realize one after another 
of his desires, the building enthusiasm draws him so gradually, and 
by so many unseen currents into the maelstrom of expense, that he 
rarely realizes, until too late, the quality of his conceit and extrava- 
gance. We believe that the employment of an honest and qualified 
architect will always be an economy to the employer, and that to 
dictate to him the adoption of any particular style because just then 
it happens to be the rage, is a pretty sure way to secure his poorest, 
instead of his best designing. 

Another matter that we would most earnestly impress on all per- 
sons about to build is this : that, when it is the intention to employ 
an architect, he should be given months, instead of days, to mature 
his designs. We would always doubt the competence of that 
architect who prides himself on throwing off designs in a hurry. 
Long practice, and plethoric portfolios, may greatly facilitate the 
rapidity with which good designs can be matured, but it is never- 
theless true that all designs which are at all original in character, 
and at the same time tasteful and harmonious, are the result of 
many sketches, and careful comparisons, corrections and elimina- 
tions, which can only be made when ample time is given. Dwel- 
ling-houses of moderate cost are the most difficult, in proportion to 
their cost, of all forms of architectural designing ; and specifications 



AND FENCES. 49 

for them the most tedious and embarrassing. A court-house, 
or city-hall, that costs a hundred thousand dollars, will give an 
architect no more thought, nor tax his creative faculties so much, 
as the designing of an original and tasteful suburban dwelling 
costing not more than one-tenth that sum. It is therefore very- 
desirable that those who wish to have houses of enduring beauty 
should give themselves and their architects ample time to mature 
the plans. 

There is a world of expression in the character of outbuildings 
that is little thought of or understood in this country, notwithstand- 
ing their mere conveniences are carefully considered. A stable 
and carriage-house should be one of the attractive, home-looking 
features of every place large enough to require them ; and, if prop- 
erly built and taken care of, no more to be shut out of sight than 
your house chimneys. What more pleasing sight than to glance 
over a smooth lawn, under trees, or through vistas of shrubbery, to 
the sunlit open space around the carriage-house door, where the 
horse in the brightly-polished " buggy " stands neighing for you, or 
the children are clustered around "our pony" — while doves are 
cooing in their little house above, and martins and swallows twitter 
about the eaves, up to which luxuriant grape-vines clamber. Ah, the 
children are at home there ! One has not learned the art of enjoy- 
ing home till he knows how much of beauty and delight there may 
be in the domestic work-places, and buildings set apart for the ani- 
mals that serve us. The English are much more generous in their 
tastes in this respect than we. An English lady shows her stable, 
her horses, cows, pigs, and poultry, with the same pride and affec- 
tion for her animal retinue that she has in leading you through the 
beauties of her lawn and flowers. 

The stable, the wood-shed, the well-house, the tool-room, and 
all needful back buildings, should be made with as much reference 
to good taste in their design as the dwelling, and should all have the 
same general architectural character. The style and keeping of all 
these will have more to do with the home-look and general elegance 
of a suburban residence than any amount of ponderous or super- 
fine carpentry, masonr}', or interior decoration. 
4 



50 dwellings, outbuildings, 

Color. 

The color of houses and outbuildings is a subject in which 
fashion has ranged widely in different directions. Twenty-five 
years ago, white, white, white, everywhere and for everything, was 
"the American taste." Suddenly the absurdity of being always 
dressed in white struck the great public, and parrots of fashion 
everywhere echoed remarks about " garish white," " neutral tints," 
" subdued tones," till a mania seized whole communities to paint 
wooden houses, cottages and all, "to imitate brown stone!" Everj'- 
thing of wood was dismally darkened and sanded, and brick som- 
brely stuccoed and "blocked off," as if we were ashamed of our 
best materials, and must needs conceal them. Our homes, before 
sepulchrally white, and garishly brilliant, were then crocked and 
blackened with bogus stone colors. The most beautiful and neces- 
sarily most pleasing of all colors for window-blinds, which harmo- 
nizes with nearly every neutral tint, and with all natural objects — 
ever-beautiful green — the tenderest and most welcome of all colors 
to the delicate eye, was thrust aside even by the cultivated taste 
of Downing ; and in its place dull brown blinds, and yellow blinds, 
and verdigris-bronze blinds, were the fashion and " in taste." 
Common sense and common eyesight have been too strong for 
such a fashion to endure long, and green again greets our grateful 
eyes on cottage, villa, and mansion windows. After the rage for 
dark colors, the reaction carried many back to white again, but 
on the whole the color of our houses is greatly improving. 

In choosing colors, the proprietor needs to guard himself from 
himself. If he desires some color different from any which the 
neighborhood affords an example of, let him beware of trusting 
to his own selection of paints in the pot, or from a specimen patch 
on the house. Both will deceive him. Colors which appear to 
have no character at all on small surfaces, are often beautiful when 
applied to an entire building ; while the tints which please us best 
in samples may be rank and vulgar on broad surfaces. After 
giving a general idea of what is wanted, to a skillful painter, it 
is better to leave the exact shade to him, or to your architect. 
They may fail to meet your wishes exactly, but console yourself 



AND FENCES. 51 

with the reflection that had you made the selections, the result 
might have been worse ! Between dwelling, outbuildings, fences, 
garden decorations, &c., there should be a strong similarity of 
tone, though the depth of color may differ materially. A gray 
or cool drab-colored house should not have a warm brown color 
for its outbuildings. A cream-colored house should have its out- 
buildings of some darker shade, in which yellow is just perceptible 
as one of its constituent parts. In places where they are much 
shaded by trees, the outbuildings may, without impropriety, be 
the color of the dwelling, provided the latter is some un-showy 
neutral tint. Shading parts of the buildings with diiferent colors 
is practiced with beautiful effect by good painters, but the proprie- 
tor is here again warned not to trust to his own skill in choosing 
colors. 

Fences. 

We are at a loss how to convey just ideas of the choice that 
should be made among the infinite variety of fences in our coun- 
try without writing an illustrated essay. For country, or large sub- 
urban grounds, it is safe to say, except where hedges are maintained, 
that that kind of fence is best which is least seen, and best seen through. 
But in towns our fences must harmonize with the architecture and 
more elegant finish of the street, and therefore be sufficiently well- 
designed and constructed to be in themselves pleasing objects to the 
passer-by. The great desideratum is to answer this requirement, and 
at the same time to adopt some design that will least conceal the 
lawn and other beauties beyond or behind it. Our fences should 
be, to speak figuratively, transparent. Now what will make a com- 
paratively transparent fence is a matter much more difficult to 
decide than the reader will suppose. Where iron fences can be 
afforded, it is easy to effect the desired result; but they are so 
expensive that wood will long continue to be the main fence 
material even in towns. Where something really elegant can be 
afforded, an architect's services should be called into requisition as. 
much as for the residence design. A fence may be as fine a work 
of art as any other construction, but the architect ought to bear 
in mind that it should not unnecessarily conceal the beauty it en- 
closes. Among the less expensive kinds of fencing, we will men- 



52 DWELLINGS, OUTBUILDINGS, 

tion a few of the forms generally used. First, and most common 
of all fences claiming to be ornamental, is the plain picket fence, 
made of strips set vertically the whole height of the fence, and from 
one and a half inches square to one inch by three. All picket 
fences shut out a view of the ground behind them until one is 
nearly opposite the pickets, as completely as a tight board fence of 
the same height. An old and ornamental form of picket fence is 
that composed of three horizontal rails, with two equal spaces be- 
tween ; one set of pickets being short, and terminated in points 
above the middle rail, while every other one rises through the top 
rail in the same way. This gives double the space between the 
pickets on the upper half of the fence, where a transparent fence 
is most indispensable. It is the best, and also one of the most 
expensive of the old forms of wooden fences, and the only kind of 
picket fencing that should be tolerated for enclosing ornamented 
grounds. 

Fences formed of horizontal rather than vertical pieces are 
preferable ; and the openings between the bars should be as wide 
as insurance against animals will permit. A substitute for the old- 
style of picket fences, now much used, is composed of boards 
sawed so that their openings form ornamental designs. These 
are adopted from German designs for cheap balconies and veranda 
guards, for which purposes they are well adapted and beautiful ; 
but for front fences they are even more objectionable than pickets, 
because they bar more completely the view of what is behind. To 
unite strength, beauty, and " transparency," is the object to be 
gained. What wooden fences will best do this, we must leave to 
the reader's ingenuity and good sense to decide. Those who build 
most expensively do not necessarily secure the most tasteful places, 
and in fencing there is much opportunity to let thought balance 
money. Some very pretty rod-iron fences are now made, both 
vertical and horizontal, which are much cheaper than woven wire 
or cast-iron ; but both of the latter being always at hand or ready 
made for those who have the means to use them, will probably con- 
tinue to increase in use. The tasteful forms in which iron fences 
are generally made, together with their indestructible character, 
will continue to make them more and more desirable. Were it not 



AND FENCES. 53 

for the shameful freedom given to animals in many town and village 
streets, such fences might be made so much lower and more open 
than now, as materially to lessen their cost. If the reader will turn 
to the vignette at the head of this chapter, he will see a form of 
iron posts and rods well adapted to a suburban place. 

We would suggest that all fences, not of a massive character, 
should have an open space under them, so that a scythe may pass 
clear through. No person should consider his grounds well kept 
unless the sidewalk in front or around his premises, is as neatly 
kept as the part within the enclosure. An open space under the 
fence, through which the blade of a scythe may glide, greatly facili- 
tates the mowing of the lawn on both sides of the line. 

For large suburban places, we would suggest that a sod fence, 
with light posts, and one or two horizontal bars above it, may be 

made both elegant and sufficient as a 
^^' ^°* street protection. Fig. lo represents a 

^ section of the fence proposed, the dotted 

line a a being the natural surface. The 
- sod should be laid with a slight inclina- 

tion downwards towards the centre of 
! the fence, so that rains striking the sides 

' will have a tendency to soak into, in- 

stead of being shed from them. If the sods are of a soil retentive 
of moisture (and most soils which grow a good sod are), the sides 
of the fence, if kept well mowed, will make a beautiful low green 
hedge. In very dry weather, of course, such fences would suffer 
and turn brown, though even then they will not be unsightly if their 
form is good. If water and watering facilities are at hand, they 
may be kept bright at all seasons. The litde hollows at either side 
must also be kept shaved close, and will add to the beauty of the 
yard by giving a slight roll in the surface all around the outside 
boundary. The bottom and sides of the hollows should be made 
so that a hand mowing-machine can run upon them easily. The 
right side of the section was intended to represent a single slope, 
and the left side a hollow with a level bottom, and the slope carried 
farther off. The latter is the better manner. On Fig. 1 1, several 
bottom-lines are shown to suit different requirements in making 



54 DWELLINGS, OUTBUILDINGS, 

fences of this kind. The sod fence may be made altogether on 
top of the natural surface, but as its height would be greater, it 
might be too serious an obstruction to views of the grounds. Low- 
ering the ground on both sides will generally give the earth and sod 
required for such a fence, and make the needful height for pro- 
tection against animals without barring a view of the grounds. If 
jumping animals are to be guarded against, it may be well to insert 
posts at regular distances for bars across their tops, as shown in the 

Fig. II. 



same cut, and to use vertical pickets, say a foot or more long, through 
the bars. A picket line is more of a terror to animals than a hori- 
zontal fence of the same height, and the pickets may be so small and 
wide apart as not to intercept views upon the lawn within. Where 
cattle are not allowed in the street, a single bar or rail, running 
from post to post, within three or four inches of the top of the sod, 
with ornamental iron points screwed to the top, will make a 
pleasing enclosure. There is a great variety of such castings to 
choose from. Some of the narrower patterns of woven-wire fencing 
would have an admirable effect on low sod fences. The reader's 
ingenuity will doubtless suggest various ways of improving these 
hints concerning sod fencing ; but it must be borne in mind that 
fences of this character are unsuited to the use of those who do 
not feel disposed to give them the constant care which is re- 
quired to keep a lawn in order ; and in those semi-civilized 
towns where hogs are allowed at large, they are of course im- 
practicable. Where it is desired to have the sod fence suffi- 
ciently high to be a good protection against cattle, without any 
posts or bars above them, it is best to make the additional height 
by larger and deeper excavations on each side, or on the side on 
which the height is most needed. A straight slope like that at b, 



AND FENCES. 



55 



Fig. II, is easily made and kept clean with a scythe or machine; 
but the lower double lines can be used, where a higher fence is 
needed, provided the level on the bottom is wide enough to allow 
the use of a scythe or hand-mowing machine. As such ridges of 
turf are peculiarly exposed to injury from excessive cold, it is re- 
commended, in districts where evergreen boughs, especially hem- 
lock, can be procured, that the top of the turf be covered late 
in the fall. Such twigs can be neatly interlaced, with little trouble, 
under the bar above the turf, so as to form an evergreen hedge 
through the winter, and the snow that will lodge in them will pro- 
tect the bank from constant heaving by freezing and thawing in 
the winter and early spring, and give the grass additional vigor 
when the time comes to uncover it. 

These sod enclosures are illy suited to form front fences in vil- 
lage neighborhoods, and are suggested solely for places of large 
extent, and with rural surroundings. 

With regard to live hedges, some cautions are needed. The 
practice of hedging one's ground so that the passer-by cannot enjoy 
its beauty, is one of the barbarisms of old gardening, as absurd and 
unchristian in our day as the walled courts and barred windows of 
a Spanish cloister, and as needlessly aggravating as the close veil 
of Egyptian women. It is not well, generally, to plant live hedges 
on the street fronts of a town or suburban residence. On larger 
places they are very useful and beautiful as separating screens 
between the decorated ground and the vegetable garden, or hiding 

Fig. 12. 




portions of outbuildings, or as a protection for fruit yards against 
injurious winds ; but as a street fence for town or suburban resi- 
dences they should be made use of but rarely. There are other 



56 DWELLINGS, OUTBUILDINGS, 

places enough where we may avail of all their beauties. Fig. 12 
shows a section of front grounds and street with a hedge on the 
street line. It will be seen that the line of view from the eye of a 
man on the sidewalk, over the top of the hedge, isolates him as com- 
pletely from the view of the grounds as a jail wall ; and even from 
a carriage, in the middle of the street, one can see but little more. 
A word, in conclusion, about gateways and gate-posts. Showy 
posts of carpentry or masonry, which are not of solid wood or sohd 
stone, or which are made higher than the general character of the 
fence calls for, are apt to seem pretentious. A gateway, whether 
for a carriage road or a walk, should always be marked in some 
way, so that one will know at a glance, and at some distance, just 
where the entrance is. This is generally and properly done by 
making the gate-posts conspicuous, either by their size or their 
finish. But it is easy to overdo, by giving them a cheap showiness 
or massiveness disproportionate to their importance. Stone is far 
more beautiful than any other material for posts, and for the gate- 
ways of walks should be used in simple forms and of single 
blocks, if it can be afforded. Or, after making a suitable founda- 
tion of cheaper stone, the part above ground may be a single block 
of sufficient weight not to be jarred on its foundation by the ordinary 
use of the gates. It is not necessary that the two gate-posts be alike. 
The one upon which a gate is swung requires to be far heavier than 
the one into which it latches, and it will not be " out of taste " to 
make the size of each conform to its use, and to economize by 
making one heavy post instead of two. Children will swing on 
gates in spite of all warnings, and the gates must be hung so that 
they will bear the strain. To insure this solidity, great weight 
is required, or else the post must be very thoroughly bedded in 
the ground. There is much less strain on the post into which 
the gate catches, and therefore no need of making it of the same 
weight and expense. In making the suggestion that it is not ne- 
cessary to have the opposite posts of the gateway fac-similes of 
each other, it must not be understood that there is any impropriety 
in it, but only that the means are best adapted to the end when the 
one which is most heavily taxed shall be provided first to meet the 
calls upon it. For gateways on drives it is not always practicable 



AND FENCES. 57 

to obtain single blocks of sufficient weight to resist the constant 
strain of a long gate. Single gates being preferable to double ones 
for this purpose, the posts to which such gates are hung should 
have marked importance, and may, with propriety, be of block ma- 
sonry, or of brick, with stone caps and binding layers ; and it must 
not be forgotten that mere height and size, for the purpose of ren- 
dering them conspicuous, is not the true object, but that weight and 
tasteful forms are required. The facility with which slender wood 
posts can be encased with heavy shells of carpentry, has had a bad 
influence in substituting showiness for solidity ; yet it is also true 
that much real beauty of form and effect is obtained by casing 
posts with joiner's work, at a small expense compared with what is 
required by the use of heavy timber or stone. Each man's neces- 
sities and culture must be the law to himself in this matter. The 
post in the vignette at the head of this Chapter is a fair example of 
a simple and unpretending form of stone post. There are few mat- 
ters in which the taste of the proprietor, or his architect, may be 
more, pleasingly illustrated than in the designs for stone gate-posts. 
In putting in posts of wood or single blocks of stone deep in the 
ground, the hole around them should be filled with sand, and espe- 
cial care should be used to have the bottom firm and solidly 
bedded before filling more than a few inches ; the top of the stone 
should then be fastened in place by braces until the filling is com- 
pleted. It is desirable that the part of a stone below the surface 
of the ground increase in size like a wedge, with the largest end 
down, for if the stone is the reverse in form, that is to say, a wedge 
with the point down, it then forms a shoulder against which the 
earth in swelling, as it does by freezing, will inevitably heave the 
post upwards. Iron gate-posts, arched over like those shown by 
Fig. 184, and covered with wire, are charming for village-lot en- 
trances, though less expressive of solidity and homeliness than 
stone. Even for an iron fence, the contrast between the low mas- 
siveness of well-designed stone gateways, and the lightness of iron 
work, is quite pleasing. And if these stone posts are used only 
for gateways (and we think it better not to use them anywhere on 
a front except for gateways and street corners), they become the 
most prominent feature of the street front. There is no end to 



58 



DWELLINGS, OUTBUILDINGS, 




Fig. 



Fig. 13. charming architectural combinations for 

gateways, but it will not do on a place 
which has not otherwise a highly architect- 
ural character, to " make it up " on the gate- 
way. 

On places where solid constructive dec- 
orations cannot be afforded, we advise the 
use of topiary work, by which is meant the 
fanciful forms sometimes given, by cutting 

and trimming, to verdant arbors, thickets, trees, and hedges. 
There are many species of evergreens which 
may be planted on each side of the gateways 
of ordinary foot-walks so as to be made into 
charming arches over the entrance. With 
patience and annual care, these can be per- 
fected within about ten years, but they will 
also afford most pleasing labor from the 
beginning ; and the infantile graces of the 
trees, which are year by year to be devel- 
oped into verdant arches, will probably af- 
ford quite as much pleasure in their early 
growth as in their perfected forms. In the 
descriptions of the trees which are suitable 

for this kind of topiary work, the mode of managing them will 
be noted in detail. We here introduce the 
same cuts to give a hint of the effect in- 
tended, though, when well grown, such arches 
are far more beautiful than our engraving 
can even suggest. Fig. 13 shows a pair of 
hemlocks planted inside of a gateway, and 
grown to a height of 10 to 12 feet, and only 
trimmed on the inside. Fig. 14 shows the 
effect at the end of ten years — the tops of 
the two trees having been twisted together so 
as to grow as one tree over the centre of the 
arch, and all parts trimmed year by year to 
the form illustrated. Fig. 15 shows the effect 




Fig. 15. 




AND FENCES. 



59 



Fig. i6. 



that may be produced from the same trees by permitting the main 
stems to keep their upright direction, and forming the arch by en- 
couraging and uniting the growth of the inner branches at the 
proper height. Where evergreens are 
to be planted for this purpose, the 
fence should curve inwards to the 
gate, as shown by the transverse sec- 
tion (Fig. 1 6), so that trees designed 
to form the arch can be planted on 
a line with the posts, and two or three feet from them. All this 
topiary work may be a substitute for expensive gateways, or it 
may, with equal propriety, be introduced as an accessory deco- 
ration, where the posts are not of a massive, or highly ornate 
character. In the latter case, whatever beauty of design and 
workmanship has been wrought out in stone should not be delib- 
erately concealed by such forms of verdure. 





CHAPTER VII. 

NEIGHBOKING IMPK O V EME N T S . 

Small is the worth of beauty from the light retired." — Tennyson. 

THERE is no way in which men deprive themselves of 
what costs them nothing and profits them much, more 
than by dividing their improved grounds from their 
neiglibors, and from the view of passers on the road, 
by fences and hedges. The beauty obtained by throwing front 
grounds open together, is of that excellent quality which enriches 



NEIGHBORING IMPROVEMENTS. 61 

all who take part in the exchange, and makes no man poorer. 
As a merely business matter it is simply stupid to shut out, 
voluntarily, a pleasant lookout through a neighbor's ornamental 
grounds. If, on the other hand, such opportunities are improved, 
and made the most of, no gentleman would hesitate to make 
return for the privilege by arranging his own ground so as to 
give the neighbor equally pleasing vistas into or across it. It 
is unchristian to hedge from the sight of others the beauties of 
nature which it has been our good fortune to create or secure; 
and all the walls, high fences, hedge screens and belts of trees 
and shrubbery which are used for that purpose only, are so many 
means by which we show how unchristian and unneighborly we 
can be. It is true these things are not usually done in any 
mere spirit of selfishness : they are the conventional forms of 
planting that come down to us from feudal times, or that were 
necessary in gardens near cities, and in close proximity to populous 
neighborhoods with rude improvements and ruder people. It is a 
peculiarity of English gardens, which it is as unfortunate to follow 
as it would be to imitate the surly self-assertion of English travel- 
ling-manners. An English garden is " a love of a place " to get 
into, and an Englishman's heart is warm and hospitable at his own 
fire-side ; but these facts do not make it less uncivil to bristle in 
strangers' company, or to wall and hedge a lovely garden against 
the longing eyes of the outside world. To hedge out deformities 
is well ; but to narrow our own or our neighbor's views of the free 
graces of Nature by our own volition, is quite another thing. We 
have seen high arbor-vitae hedges between the decorated front 
grounds of members of the same family, each of whose places was 
well kept, and necessary to complete the beauty of the other and 
to secure to both extensive prospects ! It seems as if such persons 
wish to advertise to every passer, "my lot begins here, sir, and 
ends there, sir," and might be unhappy if the dividing lines were 
not accurately known. " High fences make good neighbors," is a 
saying often repeated by persons about walling themselves in. 
The saying has some foundation in fact. Vinegar and soda, both 
good in their way, are better kept in separate vessels. If a man 
believes himself and his family to be bad neighbors, certainly they 



62 NEIGHBORING IMPROVEMENTS. 

ought to fence themselves in, thoroughly. Or if they have reason 
to believe their neighbors are of the same sort, they may well be 
sure of the height and strength of the divisions between them. 
But we prefer to imagine the case reversed ; and that our neigh- 
bors are kindly gentlemen and women, with well-bred families, who 
can enjoy the views across others' grounds without trespassing upon 
them. These remarks are intended to apply to those decorative 
portions of home-grounds which, in this countiy, and especially in 
suburban neighborhoods, are usually in front of the domestic offices 
of the house. The latter must necessarily be made private and 
distinct from each other. One of the most fertile sources of disa- 
greements between families having grounds opening together, are 
incursions of boisterous children from one to another. Now it is 
suggested that children may be trained to respect and stop at a 
thread drawn across a lawn to represent a boundary, just as well as 
at a stone wall. Every strong high barrier challenges a spirited 
boy's opposition and enterprise, but what costs no courage or 
strength to pass, and a consciousness of being where he don't be- 
long, generally makes him ashamed to transgress in such directions. 
A well-defined line will, in most cases, be all that is necessary. 
This may be simply a sunk line in the, grass, as shown at a, Fig. 17, 

Fig. 17. 

or it may be a row of low, small cedar or iron posts, with a chain or 
wires running from one to another, or some very low, open, and light 
design of woven-wire fencing ; anything, in short, which will leave 
the eye' an unbroken range of view, and still say to the children, 
"thus far shalt thou go, and no farther." If parents on both sides 
of the line do their duty in instructing the children not to trespass 
on contiguous lawns, less trouble will result from that cause than 
from the bad feelings engendered by high outside boundary walls, 
that so often become convenient shields to hide unclean rubbish 
and to foster weeds. 

An interesting result, that may be reached by joining neighbor- 
ing improvements, is in equalizing the beauties of old and new 
places. Suppose B. has bought an open lot between A. and C, 
who have old places. The grounds of A., we Avill suppose, are 



NEIGHBORING I M F R V E 31 E N T S . 63 

filled, in old village style, with big cherry trees, maples, lilacs, 
spruce trees, roses, and annuals ; and C.'s grounds may have a 
growth of noble old trees, which had invited a house to make its 
home there. Between the two is Mr. B.'s bare lot, on which he 
builds a " modern house," which is, of course, the envy of the older 
places. But Mr. B. and his family sigh for the old forest trees on 
the right, and the flowers, and verdure, and fruit trees on the left. 
Not having them to begin with, we advise him to make a virtue of 
necessity, and cause his neighbors to envy him the superior open- 
ness and polish of his own grounds. A. has a yard cluttered with 
the valuable accumulations of years ; a fine variety of trees, shrubs, 
and flowers; yet nothing shows to advantage. The shade, the 
multiplicity of bushes, the general intertanglement of all, make it 
very difficult to grow a close turf, and keep it mown as a lawn. 
Mr. B., on the other hand, can begin, as soon as his ground is 
enriched and set to grass, to perfect it by constant cutting and 
rolling till it is a sheet of green velvet. Cut in the lawn, here 
and there near his walks, small beds for low and brilliant flowers 
may sparkle with sunny gayety ; at the intersection of walks, or 
flanking or fronting the entrances, low broad-top vases (rustic or 
classic, as the character of the house or their position may require) 
may be placed, filled with a variety of graceful and brilliant plants. 
In two or three years, if Mr. B. shall thus have made the most of 
his open ground, ten chances to one both of the neighbors will be 
envying the superior beauty of the new place. It will, probably, 
really be the most charming of the three ; not, however, by virtue of 
its open lawn alone, but by the contrast which his neighbor's crowded 
yard on one side, and the forest trees on the other, serv^e to produce. 
Each of their places forms a back-ground for his lawn ; while, if the 
three places are allowed to open together, his lawn is a charming 
outlook from the shades of theirs. Neither one of these places would, 
alone, make laiidscape beauty ; yet the three may make char7?img com- 
binations from every point of view. Every home needs some fruit 
trees; and a shadowy back-ground, or flanking, of noble forest trees, 
which Mr. B. would desire to have started as soon as possible ; 
but with such adjoining improvements as we have described, he 
should preserve the distinctive elegance of his front grounds, and 



64 NE I aSB RIN O IMPROVEMENTS. 

leave them as open and sunny as possible. If, however, B.'s 
bare lot stood unflanked by old trees or old places, then his aim 
should be materially changed, and a few large trees, and some 
shrubbery, would enter into his designs for planting. Though 
farther on we shall endeavor to impress again the necessity of re- 
straint in choosing but few among the thousands of trees, shrubs, 
and flowers that are offered to every planter, it is appropriate that, 
in this chapter on Neighboring Improvements, we should also sug- 
gest to planters how very few of all the sylvan and floral treasures 
that beautify the surface of the globe, each one's half acre or five 
acres can comfortably accommodate. As every city has its hun- 
dreds or thousands of good and charming people, whose acquaint- 
ance we may never have time to make, we very sensibly confine 
our companionship to a few congenial families, in whose intimate 
friendliness we have much more pleasure than if we were to 
"spread too thin" in efforts to embrace an entire community. 
Just so with the populous best society in the community of trees, 
to whose members the citizen is about to be introduced. He had 
better abandon the idea of domesticating them all into his home 
circle. He may even leave scores of the best families out entirely, 
and still have all that he can well entertain and cultivate. But by 
means of neighborhood association in improvements, the neighbor- 
hood, as a whole, may furnish examples of almost every kind of 
vegetable beauty that the climate admits of Suppose, for instance, 
that a dozen neighbors, known as A. to L. respectively, have each 
an acre to devote to decorative planting. Laid out in the old way, 
with the stereotype allowance of evergreens, deciduous trees, and 
shrubs, they would, as plantations, have but little more interest 
after one was seen than duplicate copies of a book that we have 
done with. But if A. shall conclude to make the pines and birches 
his specialty, and procure all the varieties that are pleasing to the 
eye, which grow well in our climate, and arrange them around his 
home under the direction of some intelligent planter who knows 
the best locations for each, he will find, at the end of ten years, 
that his place will be a distinguished one. He will have about 
fifty varieties of hardy pines to choose from, among which from ten 
to twenty are trees of great beauty ; and the beautiful birches will 



NEIGHBORING IMPROVEMENTS. 65 

sparkle among them as well set jewels. The pines will em- 
brace a variety of sizes and forms, from the graceful and lofty white 
pine of our forests, and the much larger pines of California and 
Oregon, down to interesting bushy dwarfs, which do not exceed the 
lilac in size. Making a specialty of the pine and the birch fami- 
lies will not prevent A. from having a due proportion of open 
lawn, and a small variety of the finest flowering shrubs and flowers, 
proportioned to the size of his lawn. 

Now we will suppose Mr. B. is his next neighbor, and that he 
chooses to make the maple tree his specialty. No one familiar 
with the almost endless number of varieties of the maple, foreign 
as well as native, with all their diversity of growth and wealth of 
foliage, with their spring loveliness and autumn glories, their clean- 
liness and their thrift, can for a moment doubt the beauty that 
might be produced under proper management on Mr. B.'s acre. A 
few trees, but a few, of more irregular outlines, should be admitted 
as a foil to the compacter maples. 

Next Mr. C. must' choose his favorites. Supposing his house 
to be of some unpicturesque style, he may take the different species 
and varieties of the horse-chestnut, ^sculus, and the common 
chestnut, Castanea. At certain seasons of the year his place would 
be unrivalled in display of flowers and foliage. 

If D. will take the oak, he will not find his acre large 
enough to accommodate one-half of the hardy and beautiful varie- 
ties which are natives of his own country alone. But as the oak is 
rather slow in developing its best traits, Mr. D. would be wise to 
find a site for his specialty on which some varieties of oak have 
already attained good size. 

The elms, with some other trees that contrast well with them, 
will furnish a beautiful variety for E. 

Mr. F. may make trees of gorgeous autumn foliage his speci- 
alty, and, while surrounded by some of the loveliest of spring and 
summer trees, may have his place all aglow in September and Oc- 
tober with the dogwood, the liquidamber, the pepperidge or tupe- 
lo, the sassafras, the sugar, scarlet, and Norway maples, the scarlet 
oak, and many others. 

If G. will make a specialty of lawn, shrubs, and flowers alone, 
5 



66 NEIGHBORING IMPROVEMENTS. 

among a thousand beauties he can hardly fail to make an in- 
teresting collection. 

H. may have a predilection for spruces, hemlocks, and 
spiry-top trees, and make the evergreens of those forms, and the 
deciduous trees that harmonize with them, his specialty.* But 
care must be used not to render the place gloomy with their too 
great abundance. 

I. will not have any species in particular, but loves those 
trees, of whatever species, which spread low and broadly, but clear 
above the lawn ; like the apple-tree, the mulberry, the horse-chest- 
nut, the catalpas and paulonias, the white oak, the beech, and some 
varieties of the thorn. ' 

J. admires the classic formalities of the old French style of 
gardening, and prefers trees and shrubs that will bear clipping 
well, and grow naturally or artificially into symmetric and for- 
mal shapes ; with straight walks and architectural decorations. 
In close neighborhoods, and on well-improved streets, architectural 
gardening is the most elegant of all, but requires much money 
for constructions, which, if not thorough and tastefully complete, 
were better not attempted. 

K. wishes a place full of graceful forms, and will use those 
trees which will best carry out his idea. His walks must be ser- 
pentine ; his trees weeping varieties, both deciduous and evergreen, 
of which the variety in form and character is such as to enable 
him to make a most picturesque as well as graceful collection. 

L. has a special admiration for trees of exotic or tropical ap- 
pearance, and if his soil is deeply drained,'^ rich, and warm, the mag- 

* Spiry-topped evergreens, like the balsam fir or Norway spruce, are rather impracticable to 
make entire plantations of on any place. Their forms are too monotonous, and their shadows too 
meagre, to be used with the same careless profusion near a dwelling that we may employ broadly- 
overhanging trees, like the elms, oaks, pmes, and maples. Such evergreens are planted quite too 
much already ; many fine places having been rendered most gloomy by their great abundance. A 
specialty of this kind would, therefore, be " stale and unprofitable," unless made with great skill 

t By deeply-drained, we do not mean the draining of a foot below the surface, but at least four 
feet, so that the large roots of trees will be invited to penetrate into the substratum, which is never 
cold to the freezing point, and from which the roots of trees form conductors to the branches 
above, and thus serve to modify the rigors of the upper air by the warmth of the earth below the 
frost. If one will but think of the difference in winters' coldest days, betsveen riding all day with 
warm blocks to the feet, or without them, he can appreciate the argument for inviting trees to root 
deeply in the earth's warm substratum. 



NEIG HBO RIN G IMPROVEMENTS. 67 

nolias, catalpas, pauionia, mulberries, and ailanthus, with some 
evergreens of rounded forms, will make an interesting collection. 

We have here named a dozen places, Avith each a specialty. 
Now, it is to be clearly understood that the nature of the locality, 
the form of the ground, the peculiarities of the soil, and the archi- 
tecture of the house, are all to be taken into consideration before 
deciding what species of planting to make the specialty of any one 
home. It would be ridiculous to plant weeping willows on a dry, 
bald site, or gloomy balsam firs on a sunny slope, or a collection of 
spiry evergreens alone on a level lawn, or in juxtaposition with 
masses of round-headed trees, like maples and horse-chestnuts. 
All the surrounding circumstances must govern the choice ; and 
neighbors should consult together with competent advisers, as far 
as practicable, before determining what each will plant, so as to 
make contiguous grounds harmonize, as well as add to the variety 
of each other's grounds. 

To be repeating the same -round of common favorite trees in 
one place after another, on a fine suburban street, is to lose much 
of the varied beauty which would result from each planter making 
thorough work in some one specialty of arboriculture. To employ 
an artist in landscape gardening to design all the places that adjoin 
each other, with reference to a distinctive characteristic for each, 
and a happy blending of the beauty of all, would, of course, be the 
most certain way to secure satisfactory results. It will be found, as 
we grow more intelligent in such matters, that it is quite as essen- 
tial to the beauty of our home-grounds to commit their general 
arrangement to professional artists, and to be as absolutely re- 
stricted to their plans, as it has been in the management of ceme- 
teries. So long as each lot-owner can plant and form his lot to 
suit himself alone, whatever his taste may be, such grounds will be 
but a medley of deformities. To insure a high order of beauty in 
neighboring improvements, all planting must be done under some 
one competent direction. The result of this is seen in our beauti- 
ful modern cemeteries. A similar subordination of individual fan- 
cies to a general plan, in a community of neighboring grounds, 
may develop like results. 



68 NEIGHBORING 1 31 P R V E M E N T S. 



Street Trees. 

The subject of street trees comes properly under the head of 
neighboring improvements. It might be inferred, from the modes 
of planting recommended in the preceding pages, that a variety of 
trees will be recommended for one street in preference to a single 
sort. On the contrary, the effect is much better, on a straight 
street or road, to have an avenue composed of a single species of 
tree only. To attempt the varieties of park scenery on an avenue 
is as much out of place as to compose a park of straight rows of 
trees. There ought to be but one variety of street tree on the 
same block, at least, and the longer the continuity is kept up the 
nobler will be the effect Street trees are usually planted quite too 
close together. For wide avenues (where alone such great spread- 
ing trees as the elm, sycamore, silver maple, and silver poplar 
should be planted), from thirty to fifty feet apart is near enough, 
and thirty feet is the least distance that any street trees should be 
planted from each other. The finest deciduous trees are those 
already most commonly planted — elms, maples, and horse-chest- 
nuts. The white pine is a noble street tree, very little used. It 
deserves to be ; but as it must be planted of smaller size than the 
deciduous trees, in order to do well, and therefore requires box pro- 
tection during a greater number of years, it should only be planted 
where such protection is sure to be given. No trees should be 
planted, in streets, which do not come early into leaf, or which have 
disagreeable blossoms, or which bear nuts or eatable fruit, or the 
leaves of which are subject to worms, or do not drop promptly and 
dry after the first severe autumn firosts. The different varieties of 
the maple, the horse-chestnut, the weeping elm, and the English 
and Scotch elms, all unite to a great extent the best qualities for 
street trees. The linden is peculiarly subject to worms, and should 
not, therefore, be planted in streets. The elm, near the sea-coast, 
is also infested by a species of worm, which does not, however, 
seem to be very annoying in the interior. The tulip tree, or white 
wood, is rather difficult to transplant, and not adapted to any but a 
rich warm soil ; but, once established in such a soil, it makes an 
elegant street tree. The oaks grow too slowly to be popular, and 



NEIQSBOBING I M F B OVE ME NTS. 69 

many of them have not a cheerful expression in winter. The wil- 
lows generally have thin leaves, which rot where they fall, and 
therefore make the walks filthy under them in autumn. The pop- 
lars all have blossoms, or cottony seeds, that are annoying. 
Among the foreign maples, the Norway and the sycamore maples 
are well adapted to street planting, but not superior to the sugar 
maple. If we were to name six species of trees to choose from for 
the street, they would be the American weeping elm, the Scotch or 
Wych elm, the horse-chestnut, the sugar, Norway, or sycamore ma- 
ples, the weeping white birch, and, in light, warm soils, the white 
pine. 

Charming effects may be produced by planting such trees as 
the weeping birch at long intervals, to break the monotony of 
heavier formed trees by the delicate sprightliness of their foliage in 
summer, and their brilliant white-barked spray when the trees are 
leafless. We know no reason why several varieties of the birch 
would not make admirable avenues for streets which are too nar- 
row for elms, and in which maples and chestnuts make too deep a 
shade. 

In conclusion, we will venture to suggest an innovation for 
town streets which are occupied for residences alone, and upon 
which there is little travel in vehicles. The roadway on such 
streets is often needlessly wide, and trees planted on the sidewalk 
on both sides of the road, expand their tops so as to obstruct a 
view of the street, and so close to the house that their beauty can- 
not be seen. It is recommended that such streets have but one 
row of trees, and that in the middle of the road, where a strip of 
grass, six feet wide or more, would give them a pleasing setting. 
As this width of grass cannot be spared from many town side- 
walks, but can be from the roadways, the plan may occasionally be 
used to advantage. 



"^A*^. 




CHAPTER VIM. 

MATEEIALS USED IN DECOEATIYE PLANTING. 

THERE are no vegetable productions in Nature which, 
when thoroughly observed and understood, are not beau- 
tiful. Few plants are more beautiful than the thistle. 
Most weeds will elicit our admiration if their forms, 
growth, and structure are carefully noticed. Even bare rocks give 
pleasure to the eye, and their vastness and ruggedness awaken emo- 
tions of sublimity, as sun, moon, or darkness light and shadow them. 
A lightning-shivered pine, projecting from a mountain side, makes 
a striking point in a painter's landscape, and serves to heighten, by 
contrast, the smooth-featured loveliness of a valley below it. 

Yet the thistle would give more pain than pleasure as a pot or 
border plant. What we call weeds are only so because some other 
plants unite more beauties, or give more pleasurable returns for cul- 
tivation. We reject the former, because we cannot have all, and 
therefore choose their betters. The shivered pine, though pleas- 
ingly picturesque up among the rocks, would give more pleasure 
added to the wood-pile than to the front yard of the citizen ; and 



DECORATIVE PLANTING. 71 

the rocky beauties of mountain scenery are sometimes those of 
which the poet says — 

" 'Tis distance lends enchantment to the view." 

The noble exhilaration of climbing and roaming over mountain 
scenery is a charm not so much of their beauties, seen near by, as 
of the tonic air, and tonic exercise, and bounding blood, and glow 
of pride to be above some part of the world and to look down 
upon it. 

Tennyson thus nobly contrr.sts the mountain with the valley : 

" Come down, O maid, from yonder mountain height ; 

What pleasure lives in height (the shepherd sang), 

In height and cold, the pleasure of the hills ? 

But cease to move so near the heavens, and cease 

To glide a sunbeam by the blasted pine, 

To sit a star upca the sparkling spire. 

And come ! for Love is of the valley ; * # * 

* * * * let the torrent dance thee down, 

To find him in the valley ; let the wild 

Lean-headed eagles yelp alone, and leave 

The monstrous ledges there to slope, and spill 

Their thousand wreaths of dangling water-smoke. 

That like a broken purpose waste in air ; 

So waste not thou : but come ; for all the vales 

Await thee ; azure pillars of the hearth 

Arise to thee ; the children call, and I, 

Thy shepherd, pipe ; and sweet is every sound. 

Sweeter thy voice, but every sound is sweet ; 

Myriads of rivulets hurrying through the lawn, 

The moan of doves in immemorial elms, 

And murmuring of innumerable bees." 

We turn from where we stand upon the mountain, not so much 
to look at the vast and rugged forms around us, as upon the lovely 
scenery at its base ; scenes where the hand of Art has set its im- 
press on the works of Nature, and added human interests to their 
normal beauty. 

Mountain and picturesque scenery is something which can 
neither be transplanted nor successfully imitated, and is, therefore, 
rarely within the pale of decorative gardening, as applied to the 
grounds of towns-people. Great mossy boulders, little ledges, and 
stony brooks, are nov/ and then natural features of suburban sites, 
and should be prized for the picturesque effects and variety of in- 



73 MATERIALS USED IN 

teres t that may be made with them. The paltry artificial rock- 
works that mar so many otherwise pretty grounds, need scarcely be 
mentioned, as -the sight of them must necessarily make their pro- 
prietors feel as dissatisfied with their effect as the animal who es- 
sayed to don the garb and imitate the roar of the lion was with 
his success. It is not intended, however, to condemn those rock- 
works which are unobtrusively placed, for the purpose of growing to 
better advantage certain favorite plants, but only "rock-work" 
which is built for exhibition. 

What, then, are the materials which every one may command, 
and which can be combined in town and village grounds to realize 
the greatest and most permanent pleasure ? We will name these : 

Of Nature's gifts — Earth, Grass, Trees, Shrubs, Flowers, Vines, 
and Water ; of Art's productions — Houses, Walks, Roads, Fences, 
and all the needful accessories of dwellings for cultivated people. 
Let us briefly sketch what are the essential characteristics of Na- 
ture's materials. 

Earth. — Of the Earth we demand, for decorative planting, that 
she shall be rich, and her bosom smooth and flowing ; that, whether 
varied in surface by billowy inequalities, or formed to less interest- 
ing slopes or levels, the surface lines shall always be smooth, and 
free from all rough irregularities. 

Grass. — This is the most lowly, the simplest, and the loveliest 
element to be used in the adornment of home. A chapter will 
hereafter be devoted to it under the head of The Lawji. Here its 
essential use and beauty is defined to be — a close-fitting green robe 
thrown over the smooth form of the earth, through which every un- 
dulation is revealed, and over which the sunlight will play as upon 
velvet, and the shadows of environing objects be clearly outlined 
as upon a floor. 

Trees. — The beauty of trees is in the endless variety of their 
forms, their coloring, the contrasts of light and shade in the depths 
of their foliage, and their shadows, which play with the sunlight 
and moonlight on the grass beneath them. The latter is one of 
their greatest charms, but one which the smoothness of the ground 
and grass has much to do in developing. There is also a noble 
fascination in viewing the grand trunks of large trees towering over 



DECORATIVE PLANTING. 73 

our heads, their rough branches projected in bold defiance of 
gravitation, swaying listlessly in quiet air, toying with gentle 
breezes, or lashing the air in proud defiance of its ruder gales. 

Shrubs. — These are to small places the lowly representatives 
of what trees are to the park ; and more : for there are few trees 
which we value for their flowers, while most ornamental shrubs are 
covered at some season with a bloom of glowing colors, and 
adorned with the same luxuriance of leafage that clothes the best 
trees. They are the main-stay after grass for the adornment of 
pleasure grounds of small extent. The variety to choose from is 
large, and a study of the peculiar beauty of each, and the position 
for which it is best adapted, is one to which we ask the marked at- 
tention of the reader. Their appropriate or improper placement 
will make or mar the beauty of the grounds. 

Vines, though in some respects classed with shrubs, have so 
distinct a beauty of their own that they constitute a separate ele- 
ment of embellishment. Their proper places are so evident, and 
generally so well understood, that fewer mistakes are made in 
placing them than any other class of plants. Housekeepers differ 
widely whether to have or not to have their interlacing foliage on 
porch and verandas, or embowering their windows. Of their loveli- 
ness to the eye in those situations there is no question. Whether 
their beauty compensates for the occasional inconvenience of the 
insects they harbor, is to be decided by each lady housekeeper for 
herself It is a clear case for toleration and Christian forbearance, 
if we would retain these most winsome features of cottage decora- 
tion. Of vines on ornamental frames we will treat further on, here 
remarking, that, as usually placed, on garish white frames, in the 
most conspicuous positions, they are much like graceful and beauti- 
ful girls — less lovely when thus thrust forward to attract attention, 
than when, in more modest positions, their grace and beauty draw 
one to them. 

Flowers. — So beautiful and varied are they, that a thousand 
life-times of study could not learn all their infinite varieties. Henry 
Coleman, the distinguished agriculturist of Massachusetts, once 
naively wrote : " When I hear a man ask, ' What's the use of flow- 
ers ? ' I am always tempted to lift his hat and see the length of his 



74 DECORATIVE PLANTING. 

ears ! " All civilized beings love flowers, and ladies often " not 
wisely, but too well." We v/ill endeavor to show, hereafter, how 
they may be wisely cherished. 

Water. — Of water, we can only require that it be pure and 
clear, and in motiofi. The scope of this work is too limited to 
deal much with the capabilities of this lovely element in the hands 
of the landscape gardener. Only in large and expensive places can 
artificial ponds or lakes be introduced to advantage as a decorative 
element. But we protest against all those abominations made with 
water, called fish-ponds ; or indeed any ponds at all where the sur- 
rounding earth, or the earth beneath them, is rich enough to cause 
water-vegetation, or scum, in them. To invite a clear rippling 
brook to spread itself out into a stagnant pool, is as bad as to in- 
veigle your most entertaining friend into "a dead-drunk." It is an 
outrage on nature and decency. But a brook may be made doubly 
interesting, sometimes, by obstructing it with stones ; by creating 
cascades ; by forcing it to rush and hide in narrow crevices, to 
emerge foaming with excitement ; and, finally, to spread over a 
shallow bed of bright pebbles, and sparkle leisurely in the sun. 
Such brooks can be made a perpetual charm. All their beauties 
may be heightened by art, but not the art of the mill-dam, or fish- 
pond maker. ■ The fish and fevers bred in such places are not of 
sufficient value to the producer to warrant the outlay. 

The needful works of art — houses, walls, fences, and decorative 
constructions — belong more to the architect than to the landscape 
gardener, and the employment of only architects of thorough edu- 
cation and culture, is the poHcy of the citizen who wishes to 
make a permanently pleasing home, and no foolish expenditures. 
The building of expensive summer-houses and arbors in ordinary 
suburban places is rarely necessary. Where grounds are large 
enough to make them real conveniences, the strong rustic cedar con- 
structions much used of late years (of which admirable examples 
are to be seen in the New York Central Park), are well adapted 
for shady places away from the house and the street. 




CHAPTER IX 



FAULTS TO AVOID-PLAN BEFORE PLANTING. 



RIGID self-denial, in dispensing with many things that 
seem desirable, will be found essential to the best effect 
and enjoyment of those home-adornments which we can 
afford. Limited as most men are in income ; circum- 
scribed as their building lots usually are, and fixed by circum- 
stances quite different from those which would influence a choice 
for landscape gardening alone, one of the most difficult lessons to 
learn is, to proportion planting and expenditures to the lot and 
the income. And not this alone, but to the demands of a refined 
taste, which is intolerant of excesses and vulgarity even in garden- 
ing. To build a larger house than the owner can use or furnish, 
or to lay Out grounds on a more costly scale than his means will 
enable him to keep in good order, is a waste, and may result in 
making his place unsightly rather than a beautiful improvement. 
We doubt the good taste of a man, whose enthusiastic love of 
company induces him to invite to his house such incongruous 
numbers that they crowd and jostle each other at table, and must 
be lodged uncomfortably on floors and in out-buildings. But it is 
just this kind of over-doing which is the stumbling-block of many 
who are embellishing their homes. The cost of superfluous walks, 
if they are well made, is apt to suggest an early inquiry into their 
needfulness ; but trees and shrubs are so cheap, and so small, at 



76 FAULTS TO AVOID, 

first, that excessive planting is almost as certain to be indulged 
in, as excessive eating by one who has long fasted. A dozen 
varieties of trees, and scores of shrubs, each of which has a special 
and familiar beauty, call winningly to the planter, " choose me !" 
If he good-naturedly yields to every beauty's beckoning, he finds, 
too late, that in trying to please all he has satisfied none, and 
perhaps done injustice to all. Crowded together more and more 
as they grow, each will hide the beauty of the other, and only 
darken the ground they were intended to adorn. A single native 
tree, growing alone, or, if the ground be very small, a single full- 
grown shrub, with room and soil enough to give luxuriant develop- 
ment of all its beauty, will do more, far more, to beautify one's 
home, than the finest variety of trees, growing together like an 
overgrown nursery. Yet, in planting a small lot, where no trees 
are already grown, those who love variety must be chary of plant- 
ing even one full-sized tree. Eugene Baumann, of Rahway, N. J., 
one of the few thoroughly cultivated garden artists in this country, 
in alluding to the folly of planting large trees at all in small lots, 
very happily illustrates its absurdity by likening it to the choice of a 
table for a small drawing-room, the four corners of which would 
touch the four walls. Few persons realize the rapidity with which 
trees grow and time flies ; and in planting are pretty sure, after a 
few years, like the Vicar of Wakefield, to find their sylvan family- 
pictures too big for the room. 

Let it, then, be borne in mind that the smaller the lot, the 
smaller should be the materials used to ador?i it. For city fronts of 
from lo x 20 feet to a few rods in area, the arts of gardening will 
take an architectural direction, so that cut-stone walks, bordered 
with bedding plants and low annuals, and well-placed and well- 
filled vases, will be the only form in which vegetable beauties can 
be introduced. For places of a rood in extent, (we mean only 
the space devoted to decorative planting), a lawn will be essen- 
tial ; and there may be introduced many shrubs as well as flowers ; 
but trees sparingly, if at all. Of architectural or constructive 
decorations, there will be room for considerable expenditure, and 
more discretion. Only on places having upwards of half an acre 
devoted to ornamental keeping, ought trees which attain large size 



PLAN BEFORE PLANTING. 77 

to be planted. If, however, there are fine trees already growing 
on any lot, all the arrangements of walks and plantings should be 
made to avail of their beauty, and to heighten it. 

Kemp's observations on this subject are so pertinent that we 
shall quote them, premising that garden as here used by him, 
means the pleasure-ground of a place. 

" Possibly the greatest and most prevalent error of those who 
lay out gardens for themselves is, attempting too much. A mind 
unaccustomed to generalize, or to take in a number of leading 
objects at a glance, finds out the different points embraced in 
landscape gardening one by one, and, unable to decide which of 
them can most suitably be applied, determines on trying to com- 
pass more than can readily be attained. One thing after another 
is, at different times, observed and liked, in some similar place 
that is visited, and each is successively wished to be transferred 
to the observer's own garden, without regard to its fitness for the 
locality, or its relation to what has previously been done. A 
neighbor or a friend has a place in which certain features are ex- 
quisitely developed, and these are at once sought to be copied. 
The practice of cutting up a ground into mere fragments is the 
natural result of such a state of things. 

"There are several ways in which a place may be frittered 
away, so as to be wholly deficient in character and beauty. It 
may be too much broken up in its general arrangement ; and this 
is the worst variety of the fault, because least easily mended and 
most conspicuous. To aim at comprising the principal features 
proper to the largest gardens, in those of the most limited size, is 
surely not a worthy species of imitation, and one which can only 
excite ridicule and end in disappointment. * * * * 

" A place may likewise, and easily, be too much carved up into 
detached portions, or overshadowed, or reduced in apparent size, 
hy planting too largely. Trees and shrubs constitute the greatest 
ornaments of a garden ; but they soon become disagreeable when 
a place is overrun with them, by contracting the space, and shut- 
ting out light, and rendering the grass imperfect and the walks 
mossy. Nothing could be more damp, and gloomy, and confined, 
than a small place too much cumbered with plantations. Nor is 



78 FAULTS TO AVOID, 

the consideration of its influences on the health of the occupants 
at all unimportant ; for where sun and wind cannot get free play, 
a moist and stagnant air, injurious to all animal life, is necessarily 
occasioned. **=??=)?***** 

" In the immediate neighborhood of the house, moreover, it is 
particularly desirable that trees and large shrubs should not 
abound. Independently of darkening the windows, they communi- 
cate great dampness to the walls, and prevent that action of the wind 
upon the building which alone can keep it dry, comfortable, and 
consequently healthy. 

" Another mode in which the effect of a garden may be marred 
by too much being aimed at, is in the formation of numerous flower 
beds, or groups of mixed shrubs and flowers on the lawn. This is 
a very common failing, and one which greatly disfigures a place ; 
especially as, when intended only for flowers, such beds usually 
remain vacant and naked for several months in the year." 

The necessity of avoiding to shade a house with trees, or 
shrubs against its walls, is doubtless much greater in Great Britain 
than in our much dryer and hotter climate ; still, it is certain that 
the suggestions of the author just quoted are quite too much dis- 
regarded in this country; so much so, that some of our highest 
medical authorities, of late, attribute much of the consumption so 
fatal in New England families, to the want of sun, the damp air, 
and the tree and shrub-embowered and shutter-closed houses pe- 
culiar to its villages and farms. 

A common error in fitting up a home is the idea, apparently 
acted upon by the owner, that his own place " is all the world to 
him." Now, a glimpse of a near or distant mountain, river, pond, 
or lake ; of a single beautiful tree, or a church spire, or a neigh- 
bor's pretty house and lawn, or a distant field-chequered farm, are 
all our own if we choose to make them so. As H. W. Beecher 
pithily puts it : " Men's eyes make finer pictures, when they know 
how to use them, than anybody's hands can." To shut one's place 
out of view of one or all of these things, by planting it full of lit- 
tle trees and little bushes, to be admired principally because they 
are "my" little trees and bushes, is surely a sad weakness; yet 
how many homes are seen, commanding pictures of great interest 



PLAN BEFORE PLANTING. 



79 



Fig. iS 




or beauty, which have been completely shut out of view by planta- 
tions of trees and shrubs, in consequence of the ill-directed zeal 
of the master or mistress of the house 
to fill "our yard" with beautiful things. 
Fig. 1 8 is a view out of the narrow side- 
light of a friend's bay-window. It scarcely 
takes in more than an eighth of a rood 
of his own ground, and yet makes a 
charming outlook, over an animated river, 
to distant fields, and homes, and fine 
trees, of which the engraving gives but a 
bare suggestion. A single tree, or a 
group of shrubs planted in the wrong 
place, would have shut out, completely, 
this pleasant picture. 

It cannot be too strongly impressed 
on the reader's mind, that most grounds, and all that are nearly 
level, can he much better arranged on paper, where all parts are un- 
der the eye at the same moment, than upon the ground, while plaJiting. 
Beginning to erect a house before a plan has been made, is not 
more sure of begetting blunders, than beginning to plant in the 
same way ; and though the blunders of misplanting may not be 
so costly, they are certain in the end to be quite as unsightly. 

We would by no means recommend every man to be the plan- 
ner of his own grounds, if competent garden artists are to be had \ 
but in the absence of such, and on the supposition that we are 
addressing men and women studious of culture in the art, who 
may, by dint of such study, and pondering over their own dear 
home-plan, do something better for themselves than the common 
run of such vegetable gardeners as they can find can do for them, 
we would only endeavor to aid them in the attempt. And we 
firmly believe that a knowledge of the best arts of gardening will 
be increased by recommending, to educated men and women, the 
careful study and maturing of their own plans. The first result of 
such labor will be to elevate their conceptions of the range of gar- 
dening art, to impress them with their own ignorance, and to 
enable them to better appreciate, and therefore set a higher value 



80 FAULTS TO AVOID, 

on the professional services of educated gardeners. It would be 
as absurd for the mass of men, engrossed in active business, to 
devote a large amount of time to the study of the mere rudiments 
of gardenesque art, simply to enable them to lay out a half acre or 
acre of land, as it would be for the same business man to pore 
over an architect's library and pictures to enable him to design his 
own house — -provided skillful planters were as easily found as com- 
petent architects. Twenty years ago there was the same dearth of 
architects of culture as there now is of educated gardeners. The 
general study of domestic architecture, which Downing's works then 
aided to make a fashion, produced, at first, an astonishing fermen- 
tation and rising of architectural crudities ; but it also produced, 
aftervi'ards, a crop of architects. If we can induce every family 
who have a home to adorn, to study the art of planning and ar- 
ranging their own grounds, the seed will be planted that will ger- 
minate, in another generation, in a crop of art-gardeners of such 
high culture, and of such necessity to the educated community, that 
it will be one of the honored professions of our best collegiates. 
Now, however, the number of such men, devoted to this profes- 
sion, is so small, that we have not heard even of more than half a 
dozen skilled, professional gardeners among our thirty millions of 
native Americans ; and not greatly more than double that number 
of educated foreigners, who have established a deserved fame 
among us as men of culture in their art. Even these men, with 
few exceptions, are little known outside the wealthy circles of the 
great cities, nor half appreciated where they are known. Until 
employers are themselves persons of culture, artists, even when 
employed, are regarded as a kind of dilettanti, whom it is neces- 
sary to employ rather to conform to "the fashion," than for such 
service as the employer is competent to appreciate, and really 
enjoy the results of. We know of nothing that will at the same 
time cultivate a taste for the fascinating art of gardenesque design- 
ing, and produce a quick return of pleasure for the time spent, as 
the study of paper plans for one's own grounds. 

Ignorant gardeners, and self-sufficient business men who know 
nothing about gardening, are apt to indulge in ridicule of this 
paper gardening, but it is the ridicule only which is ridiculous. 










T-_-jr 



TJ' 



. T^ 



■/^^- 



^ L U 



Scale 8 inch. ■'1 foot. 



PLAN BEFORE PLANTING. Bl 

Architecture, in execution, becomes a matter of stone, brick, mor- 
tar, wood, and iron ; but who, except an ignoramus, would expect 
the skillful architect to devote himself to the handling of these 
materials, instead of to his books, his pictures, and his drawing- 
board ? Good garden designs necessitate the same kind of thought, 
and taste, and careful comparison of different plans, and consid- 
eration of expense, before commencing to handle the materials, 
that are to be used to carry out the design. The plan must be 
complete before commencing work on the foundations, whether for 
architecture or for decorative gardening. The time to do this can 
best be given during the days and long winter evenings preceding 
the season for work ; and cannot be in those few lovely days of 
swelling buds, into which so many kinds of spring work are neces- 
sarily crowded. If, however, there is any skillful garden designer 
within reach, we advise, unhesitatingly, his employment. He will 
do the planning in one-tenth the time that an amateur can, and 
probably a great deal better ; and his services should be paid for 
as for those of other professional men of education and culture. 

If the reader will be governed by our advice, we shall insist 
on his having a correct map made of the lot upon which he has 
built, or proposes to build, and plant ; showing accurately the lo- 
cation and plan of the house, and all the outbuildings, and the 
position of every tree or large shrub already growing. Such trees 
or shrubs should have the breadth of their tops lightly sketched 
in. Rock boulders, or ledges, which are not to be removed, should 
also be distinctly platted. The map should be drawn on a scale 
that will permit of its being pasted on a drawing-board not larger 
than two feet by three. The best of drawing-paper should be 
used. It should be moistened, and put on by some draughtsman 
familiar with the mode of doing it. If a lot loo x 300 is to be 
platted on a scale of one-eighth of an inch to a foot, it will cover 
12I X 37^ inches of paper. Scaled one-twelfth of an inch to a 
foot, the same lot would cover 8| x 25 inches of paper, which 
would be the best scale for a lot of that length. For a larger lot 
it would be advisable to reduce the scale to one-sixteenth of an 
inch to the foot (or sixteen feet to one inch) ; and for a lot not 
more than a hundred feet long, or where not more than one hun- 
6 



83 FAULTS TO AVOID, 

dred feet need be planned for planting, a scale of four feet to the 
inch (] of an inch to the foot) may be used. It is best to have 
the scale fourths, eighths, twelfths, or sixteenths of an inch, as 
these divisions of a foot come on all ordinary measuring-rules. 
There should be a clear margin of at least two inches of paper 
outside the lot lines; the outer inch to paste the paper to the 
board, and the inner inch for a margin, when it becomes neces- 
sary to cut the paper from the board. A duplicate should be 
made of this skeleton map, as first made, to keep safely in the 
house ; and as the plans for planting are matured and carried out 
from the board, or " field map," the house map should have such 
work platted upon it, in duplicate. The map which is pasted to 
the board may be materially protected from damage by rain, wet 
grass, or dirt, to which it may be exposed during the planting 
season, by covering it with ordinary transparent tracing linen. 

To facilitate the planning or arrangement of the various things 
to be planted on different parts of the lot, as well as to make the 
plan more easy to work from in planting, the map should be di- 
vided, into one-inch squares by ordinary blue lines, and these sub- 
divided into eighth-inch squares by very faint blue lines. Each side 
of these inch squares will then represent four, eight, twelve, or 
sixteen feet, according to the scale cliosen. One accustomed to 
the use of a decimal scale, may have the squares made one and 
one-fourth inches on each side, and then subdivided into tenths, 
each one of which will then be an eighth-inch. Paper thus ruled 
for the use of civil-engineers and architects, may be procured at 
most large stationers. These squares, when the distances they 
represent are borne in mind, serve as a substitute for measure- 
ments on the map. Plate I, which is on a scale of 32 feet to one 
inch, (our page being too small to admit any larger scale), illus- 
trates the mode in which a map should be made. It will be seen 
that the intersections of the square lines with the exterior boun- 
daries of the lot are numbered on one side and lettered on 
another, from the same point, marked 0. This is to facilitate 
measurements and references to the intersections. Before pro- 
ceeding to lay out walks, or to plant from the plan, it will be 
necessary to have the fence measured and marked in the same 



PLAN BEFORE PLANTING. 83 

way, I, 2, 3, 4, etc., on two opposite sides of the lot, and A, B, 
C on the other sides. These marks may be made distinct on the 
inside of the fence, in some inconspicuous place where they will 
not mar it. 

Now let us suppose that the house and out-buildings have 
been correctly platted on the map of the lot, as shown on Plate I, 
and that the walks, trees, shrubs, and flower-beds have been 
planned and drawn as shown thereon. The first out-door work 
to be done is to lay out the walks on the ground in conform- 
ity to the plan. The front walk is six feet wide. This will be 
laid out simply by making its center on the center line of the 
main hall, extended to the front fence, or by taking for the center, 
at the street, a point two feet to the right of J, (looking towards 
the house.) This walk is here supposed to be made with a stone 
coping at the sides, (after the manner shown in the vignette of 
Chapter IV,) terminating eight feet from the front steps, with low 
pedestals and vases, and a circular stone or gravel area, as shown 
on the plate. The plan supposes the lot to have a street on the 
side as well as in front, and that its surface is elevated from two 
to four feet above the front street. 

The rear walk and carriage-road are combined in a roadway 
eight feet wide, four feet on each side of station 17, which is 136 
feet (17 X 8=136) from the front corner. By counting the squares 
(each four feet), the size and form of the graveled space in front 
of the carriage-house will be readily ascertained. The curves may 
be made by little stakes or shingle splinters stuck until they are 
satisfactory. The grape walk, which is eight feet between the out- 
side of the trellised posts, is on a right line with the rear part of the 
house, so that no mistake can be made in its location. The walk 
at the left is four feet from the trellis, and four feet wide, with a 
rose or other vine trellis, or a low flower vase, facing its extremity. 
The walks for the vegetable garden are too simple in their charac- 
ter to need more than mention. They open at three points into 
the grape walk, by openings or arches under the top slat of the 
trellis. It will be observed that the carriage-house, stable, and 
kitchen department of the house are under a continuous roof; a 
plan that we commend for those gentlemen who keep all things 



84 FAULTS TO AVOID. 

tidy on all parts of their home-grounds, as economical, exceed- 
ingly convenient, cleanly, and, in the hands of a good architect, 
effective in adding to the apparent extent and home-look of the 
place. But for persons unaccustomed to maintain the same clean- 
liness around the outbuildings as in the " front yard," it may not 
do so well. 

The walks being disposed of, let us attend to the planting ; and 
begin with the front. Further on we may describe in detail what 
trees and shrubs may be especially adapted to the different places 
here marked ; our object now being only to allude to the manner 
in which the plan, that has been completed on paper, may be 
worked out on the ground. At a, b, and c are three pairs of trees, 
intended to form a short umbrageous approach-avenue to the 
house. They are all seven feet from the walk ; a a are two 
squares, or eight feet from the front ; b b, five squares, or twenty 
feet ; r <: are eight squares, or thirty-two feet Flanking these, on 
the left, is a mass of evergreens, several of which are on the line 
H, and others on the intersections of squares to the left, as shown 
by the plan. At the intersection of the lines 2 and A, or sixteen 
feet from the front, and eight feet from the side fence, is the 
small tree // at the intersection of 2 and D is a small tree or 
shrub e; and four feet farther right, and four feet nearer the front 
street, is its companion shrub e. The small tree or large shrub d, 
is shown by the squares to be eight feet from the front, and twenty 
feet from the side street, on the line i. The intelligent reader 
will see how easily the plan for the arrangement of trees and 
shrubs may be worked out in this manner throughout ; and, after 
a few years' growth a?id good care of his plantings, ought to realize 
plainly the superior beauty of a well-considered plan. 




CHAPTER X. 

WALKS AND ROADS. 

IF, as we have insisted, a correct map has been made of the 
grounds, with all the buildings, and the trees already growing, 
marked thereon, the next work is to lay out roads or walks 
upon this map. First, question your wants as to where the 
street entrances or gates had better be made. This is to be de- 
cided principally by the direction of daily travel over them. They 
should always be in the directions that the family go oftenest, and 
should be laid out so as to connect most conveniently the street or 
streets with the entrance doors of the dwelling and outbuildings. 
No more walks should be made than are wanted for daily use, either 
for business or pleasure. In small grounds, walks made merely for 
the purpose of having "pretty walks" meandering among suppo- 
sitional flower-beds, convey the impression of a desire for show dis- 
proportionate to the means of gratifying it. Where there is an 
acre, or more, of ground devoted to decorative gardening, and it is 
intended to keep a gardener in constant employ in the care of it, 
then walks conducting to retired seats, or summer-houses, or made 
for the purpose of revealing pleasing vistas, or intricacies in the 
shrubbery, or charming surprises in flowers that may be arranged 
upon their borders, may add greatly to the beauty of the place. 
We would not advise having any carriage-way to the front entrance 
of a housej unless the distance is from eighty to one hundred feet 



86 WALKS AND BOADS. 

between the steps and the street, and on a lot at least one hundred 
and fifty feet in width. For most residences the front street is near 
enough for a carriage to approach with visitors and callers, who 
generally choose fair weather ; and the family can go to and from 
their own vehicles by some of the rear entrances of the house, past 
which the road from the street to the carriage-house should lead. 
Where houses are designed so that their main entrance is on the 
side, then a carriage-road may pass it properly, though the lot 
should be narrower than the size just mentioned. For lots having 
such narrow street fronts in proportion to their depth, this is the 
best arrangement for the house, as it leaves the finest rooms adjoin- 
ing each other in the front. See Plates XIII, XXV, and XXVII. 

In laying out a carriage-drive avoid sharp turns, and, as far as 
possible, the segments of circles reversed against each other, as in 
a geometric letter S. Such parts of circles, though graceful on 
paper, give the effect of crooked lines, as seen in perspective. A 
line that will enable the driver to approach the main steps most 
conveniently is the true line, unless trees or shrubs already growing 
prevent, in which case the same rule must be followed as nearly as 
practicable. By the most convenient approach is meant that which 
a skillful driver would make if he were driving over an unbroken 
lawn from the entrance-gate to the porch. 

Nearly all amateur landscape-gardeners will blunder in their 
first attempts to lay out roads or walks, by making the curves too 
decided. The lines most graceful on paper will not appear so in 
perspective, as we walk along them ; and it will not do, therefore, 
in laying them out on a paper plat, to suppose they will appear the 
same on the ground. If grounds were to be seen from a balloon 
the effect would be the same as upon your plan ; but as we are all 
destined to look along the ground, instead of vertically down upon 
it, it will be seen why curves that look graceful on paper are likely 
to be too abrupt and crooked in perspective. If the reader will 
place the paper plan nearly on a level with his eye, and glance 
along the line of the proposed road or walk, he will be able to 
judge how his curves will seem as seen when walking towards or 
upon them ; supposing, of course, that the ground to be platted 
has a tolerably level surface. There are several of the plans 



WALKS AND ROADS. 87 

which follow whereon the walks will have the appearance, at first 
sight, of being awkwardly direct, having neither the simplicity of a 
straight line, nor the grace of Hogarth's line of beauty; but if 
the hint just given about glancing along the line of the walk 
with the eye nearly on a level with the paper is followed, they 
will be found more pleasing. 

There are many places where the house is large compared with 
the size of the lot, on which straight walks are not only admissible, 
but where to attempt curved walks would be ridiculous. Some of 
the succeeding plans will illustrate such. The vignette of Chapter 
IV illustrates an elegant approach of this kind, over which trees 
have formed a noble arch. Steps and copings of cut stone, with 
pedestals and vases, may be designed to make such entrances as 
beautiful architecturally as the means of the proprietor will justify. 
The mere platting of walks on such places is too simple a matter 
to require any suggestions here. All foot-walks should approach 
the entrance steps either at right angles or parallel with them ; 
and in all cases should start at right angles with the line of the 
entrance gate. 

The width of roads and walks must vary according to the 
extent of the grounds and the character of the house. For a 
cottage with small grounds, make the walks narrow rather than 
wide. The apparent size of the ground will be diminished by too 
ambitious walks. But there are limits of convenience. A broad 
walk always gives one a sense of freedom and ease, which is want- 
ing when we must keep our eyes down to avoid straying from the 
narrow way. For small places, therefore, we must compromise 
between the prettier external effect of narrow walks and the greater 
convenience of wide ones. Four feet is the least width appro- 
priate for a cottage main walk, and two feet for the rear walks. 
But for most town or suburban places, from four to six feet for the 
main walk and three feet for the rear walks, are appropriate 
widths. It is essential, however, that no shrubbery or flower-beds 
approach nearer than two feet from them. A walk three feet wide, 
with two feet of closely-shaven lawn on each side of it, is really 
just as commodious as a walk six feet wide closely bordered or 
overhung by rank annuals or gross shrubs. At the foot of the 



88 WALKS AND ROADS. 

Steps it is desirable to have greater width than in other parts of 
the walk. 

The width of carriage-drives should be governed by the same 
considerations as the walks. Eight feet is the least width, and 
fourteen feet the greatest, that will be appropriate to the class of 
places for which this book is designed ; and whatever the width 
elsewhere, it should not be less than twelve feet opposite the main 
entrance steps, unless it traverses a porte-cochere. The turnway in 
front .of the main entrance should be on a radius of not less than 
ten feet to the inner line of the road, and more if space permits ; 
but not to exceed a radius of twenty feet, unless the location of 
trees or the shape of the ground make it specially desirable to turn 
a larger circuit. 

Opportunities to make or lose pleasing effects are always pre- 
sented where there are trees or shrubs already grown. To conduct 
walks or roads so as to make them seem to have grown there ; to 
arrange a gateway under branches of trees or between old shrubs, 
or leading around or between them ; to have walks divide so that a 
tree shall mark their intersection ; to weave a turnway smoothly 
among old tree trunks — all such arts as these are precisely the 
small things which prove the taste, or lack of it, in the designer. 

In making the carriage-road 'and the walks, there is an immense 
difference in expense between excessive thoroughness and the 
" good enough " style. Digging out from a foot and a half to two 
feet of the soil the whole width of the road or walk, tile-draining 
on each side, then filling up with broken stone or scoriae, and 
finally covering the surface with several inches of pure gravel, 
and paving the gutters with pebbles, is the thorough style. But 
on sandy and gravelly soils we have seen excellent walks and 
roads (for light carriages) made by simply covering the ground 
with from two to three inches of good gravel or slate. The prepa- 
ration necessary for this kind of road-making being to excavate 
below the level of the 



border, so as to leave a 
rounded surface with tile 
of three to four inches 
diameter, placed in the 



Fig. 19. 



WALKS AND ROADS. 89 

bottom of trenches on 

each side, as shown by '^' ^°" 



the accompanying sketch. 1 -^ ^ 
Four inches thickness of ^ -c£^***^ 

gravel on a road tlius pre- 
pared will, with proper care, make an excellent road. On clay, 
roads can be made with no more additional preparation than to 
provide for a few more inches of gravel. Fig. 20 shows a suitable 
form for such a roadway. Of course the grades of the roads 
lengthwise must be such as to carry the water in the gutters and 
drains to proper outlets. We suggest this method of road-making 
for those sections of the country where stone is costly, and for 
those improvers who cannot afford to use a large amount of money 
in road foundations. 

The main thing to secure good walks or roads is constant care. 
Weeds and grass must be kept from encroaching by the use of the 
hoe and edging-spade ; the gravel must be kept in place by the use 
of the rake and roller. No thoroughness of construction will make 
such care needless, and by it the least expensive walks and roads 
may be kept in excellent condition at small cost. 

Solid stone flagging, if neatly dressed, is of course preferable 
for walks to gravel, and will be used where it can be afforded. 
Where the asphaltum or coal-tar composition, now used with great 
success for walks in the Central Park, can be put down by some 
one thoroughly conversant with the mode of doing it . well, it will 
be found a very fine material ; but while green it involves much 
risk to carpets. Where the soil is clay, and good gravel or com- 
position not easily obtained, (as in many parts of the western 
states,) and flagging is too expensive, seasoned white pine board 
or plank walks may be substituted. These, if carefully laid, (across 
the line of the walk,) and the edges sawed to the requisite curves 
or straight lines, make very comfortable walks. The main dif- 
ficulty is to find mechanics who will have skill and patience to put 
them "down in the graceful curved lines that are desired. Inch 
lumber, daubed on the under side with hot coal-tar to postpone 
rotting, will answer very well for walks from two to three feet 
wide. For wider ones two-inch plank is recommended. 



90 WALKS AND ROADS. 

Pine walks, if made of good stuff, and tarred as suggested, will 
last from eight to ten years ; , and if sufficient care is used in their 
construction, will be found very satisfactory substitutes for stone or 
gravel, even for curved lines. For straight walks they are always 
satisfactory as long as sound. In districts where stone and gravel 
are scarce and dear, they must long continue in use ; and there is 
no reason why they should not be shaped into graceful forms, 
since wood is so much more facile to work than stone. Several 
methods of preserving wood from decay are now attracting great 
attention, and it is believed that some of them will be effectual 
to so increase the durability of wood that its use for walks will be 
far more desirable than heretofore. It is essential in all walks that 
the sod shall be about an inch above the outer surface of the walk, 
so that a scythe or rolling mower may do its work unobstructed in 
passing near or over them. 

To lay out the carriage-drive and the walks in conformity to- 
the paper plat that has been made, is a work requiring some 
patience and skill. There are persons whose love for beautiful 
effects in landscape-gardening is evident, who are so wanting in 
what is called a mechanical eye, as to be incompetent to lay out 
their own grounds, even with a plat before them. If you, kind 
reader, are one of those, send for the nearest good gardener to do 
the work for you ; or invite some friend or neighbor, who has 
given evidence of this talent by the making of his own place, to 
come and help you. He will not be likely to turn away from your 
appreciation of his taste and skill. If, however, your ground is 
large enough to admit of much length of walks, the labor of laying 
them out would more properly devolve upon a professional gar- 
dener — if such there be in your neighborhood. It will not, how- 
ever, be advisable to listen to all the suggestions of improvements 
that any " professional gardener " may volunteer for your guidance. 
Genuine landscape-gardeners are rare everywhere, and bear about 
the same proportion to good common gardeners that accomplished 
landscape-painters do to house-painters. The probabilities are 
that your neighborhood has some gardener competent to plat 
walks, lay turf, cut your shrubbery-beds, and do your planting ; 
but, ten chances to one, he will lay more stress on the form of some 



waijXS and roads. 91 

curlecue of a flower-bed than on those beautiful effects of rich 
foliage and open glades — of shadow and sunlight — that are often 
produced with the simplest means by Dame Nature or the true 
landscape-artist. If, therefore, you have a well-matured plan, and 
the gardener is competent to study it intelligently, let him make 
suggestions of changes before the work on the ground commences ; 
but thereafter oblige him either to work faithfully to your plan, or 
else furnish you with a better one ; and do not let him bluff you 
into an entire surrender by his professional sneers at paper plans. 
Of course these remarks are intended to apply to the common run 
of illiterate gardeners, who have happened to make a trade of this 
species of labor, and not to another class who may have chosen 
the profession from a love for it, and who have intelligence or 
imagination enough to understand something of the art of arrang- 
ing their sylvan and floral materials so as to make pictures with 
them. 

Almost every neighborhood has a few gentlemen of superior 
taste in such matters, whose dictums will, perforce, help to educate 
the common run of self-sufficient gardeners ; and it is hoped that 
so promising a field of labor will soon attract the attention of 
Americans of the highest culture, to whom we can turn for profes- 
sional work in ground designs ; who, as Pope describes one — 

" Consults the genius of the place in all 
That tells the waters or to rise or fall ; 
Or helps the ambitious hill the heavens to scale, 
Or scoops in circling theatres the vale : 
Calls in the country, catches opening glades, 
Joins willing woods, and varies shades from shades; 
Now breaks or now directs the intending lines. 
Paints as you plant, and, as you work, designs V 




T 



CHAPTER XI. 

AEEANGEMENT IN PLANTING. 

"^ HOUGH set rules, in matters of art, are sometimes 
" more honored in the breach than in the observance," 
it is also true that every art has certain general prin- 
ciples, the observance of which will rarely lead to great 
faults, while their violations may. We therefore hope that the 
following suggestions or rules, drawn to meet the requirements of 
small suburban grounds, will be of some use, and serve as a 
starting-point for that higher culture which educates the intuitive 
perceptions of the artist to dispense with rules, or rather, perhaps, 
to work intuitively by rule, as an aesthetic instinct. 

I. Preserve in one or more places (according to the size and form 
of the lot) the greatest length of imbroken lawn that the space will 
admit of. 

n. Pla7it betweeJi radiating lines from the house to the outside of 
the lot, so as to leave open lines of view from the principal windows 
and entrance porches ; also find where, without ijijuring the views to 
and from the house, the best vistas may be left from the street into the 
lot, and from one point to another across the grounds, or to points of 
interest beyond. 



ARRANGEMENT IN PLANTING. 93 

III. Flanf the larger trees and shrubs farthest from the centre 
of the lawn, so that the smaller may be seen to advantage in front 
of them. 

IV. On small lots plant no trees which quickly attain great size, if 
it is intended to have a variety of shrubs or flowers. 

V. In adding to belts or groups of trees or shrubs, plant near the 
salient points, rather than in bays or openings. 

VI. Shrubs which rest upon the lawn should not be planted nearer 
than from six to ten feet from the front fence, except where intended 
to form a continuous screen of foliage. 

Rule I. 

Preserve in one or more places (according to the size and form 
of the lot) the greatest length of unbroken lawn that the space will 
admit of. 

To illustrate this rule we ask the reader's attention to 
some of the plates. Plate No. IV represents in the simplest 
manner one mode of observing it. It is a lot of fifty feet front, 
and considerable depth, isolated from the adjoining properties on 
both sides by a close fence or hedge. On it is a small compact 
house, thrown back so as to leave about eighty feet depth between 
it and the street. Each bay-window of the principal rooms has a 
look-out upon all the beauty that may be created on this small 
space. To economize ground for the greatest extent of lawn pos- 
sible on this lot, the main walk to the house is entirely on one side 
of it and of the line of view out of the bay-windows over the 
lawn j and leads directly to the main veranda entrance. From the 
bay-windows to the street, in a right line between them, not a tree, 
shrub, or flower is to be planted. If the grounds were of greater 
extent, it would be desirable to have the views out of each of these 
windows different from the other, so that in going from one room 
to the other, and looking out upon the lawn, it would exhibit a 
fresh picture. But to attempt to divide this lawn into two by a 
middle line of shrubbery would belittle both, and crowd the shrub- 
bery so that nothing could be seen to advantage. The lot is quite 
too small to attempt a variety of views, and the lawn is made to 



94 ARRANGEMENT IN PLANTING. 

look as large as possible by placing all trees and shrubbery on the 
margin ; in short, the greatest length and breadth of lawn that the 
lot will admit of is preserved. Plate VII shows a village lot of the 
same frontage as the preceding, but on which the house is only 
twenty-five feet from the street. There can be no good breadth of 
lawn on this lot, since the house occupies the ground that forms the 
lawn on Plate No. IV. But a peculiar little vista over narrow 
strips of lawn skirting the walk is obtained on entering the front 
gate. This is upwards of one hundred feet in length, and widens 
out around the flower-bed S, so that in perspective, and contrasted 
with the length and narrowness of the strips of lawn near the 
house, it will give the effect of greater distance and width than it 
has. Such a plan as this requires the most skillful planting and 
high keeping. Indeed, there is more need of skill to make this 
narrow strip a pretty work of art than on the larger lots that are 
planned for this work. Plates XIV and XV show corner lots 
also of fifty feet front, with houses entirely on one side of the lot, 
and lawns as long as the depth will admit of, margined by assorted 
small shrubs and clipped trees. On the former the house is placed 
against the side street, leaving the lawn on the inside, and a pleas- 
ing vista over it to an archway that opens into a long grape arbor. 
This will make a lengthened perspective of lawn and garden as 
great as the size of the lot will allow. On Plate XV the house is 
placed so as to leave the lawn space between it and the side street, 
and the main garden walk is arranged so that from the back 
veranda and the library windows it will form a little perspective. 
The latter plan, it will be seen, is for a city basement-house, while 
the former has a kitchen on the main floor. Plates Nos. V and 
VI are of lots 60 x 150 feet, where the lawns occupy as great a 
length as can be spared for decorative purposes. These side lawns 
are no wider than those of Plates XIV and XV, as the additional 
ten feet width of lot, on the right, is shut out of view, and devoted 
to small fruits. This strip in the hands of a garden artist might be 
made very charming in itself, but where one man would make it so, 
a thousand would fail. We therefore advise in general not to 
plant anything against the walls of the house in such narrow strips 
as these, unless they have the most sunny exposure. In towns, 



ARRANGEMENT IN PLANTING. 95 

where lots of this size are built on, other houses are usually so near 
such improvements, as to darken the ground with their shade. 
The degree of exposure to the sun and air in these places must 
govern their use, but in general it is better to have either grass or 
pavement in them, or a paved walk and bedding plants, that may 
be renewed from a green-house. Plate XIII shows a lot of one 
hundred and sixty feet front by three hundred feet deep, on which a 
vista of unbroken lawn, the entire depth of the lot, is obtained from 
the main entrance. This place is supposed to adjoin lots whose 
fronts are improved in common, so that each of the principal win- 
dows of the house is provided with a distinct foreground for a 
picture, the middle distance of which will have such character as 
the neighboring improvements make. Were the ground improved 
to conform to this plan the effect would be much finer than the 
rather formal character of the trees in the design would indicate. 

Plates X and XI are of lots two hundred feet front by three hun- 
dred feet deep. On the former, the rule we are endeavoring to illus- 
trate is sacrificed in a measure to the requirements of an orchard 
and kitchen-garden ; on the latter, the orchard is given up to secure 
the beauty of a more extended lawn and more elaborate plantation. 

On Plate XXVII are some good illustrations of this rule applied 
to the laying out of what are usually considered awkward forms of 
lots to improve. It will be seen that the views from the street-corner, 
at the point A, on the right-hand plan looking towards the house, 
and in other directions, are long, open, and well varied, in the group- 
ing of trees, shrubs, and flowers. As one walks along to B and C, 
at each opening between groups of shrubs the views are over the 
longest stretch of lawn that the size of the lot will admit of; while 
the views from the main windows of the house, and from the front 
and rear verandas, are as extended as possible. 

Plate XXII, which is designed to illustrate the advantage of 
joining neighboring improvements, however cheap or simple their 
character, is an excellent illustration of the beauty and garden- 
esque effect that may be secured by leaving an unbroken vista of 
lawn and low flowers from one side of a block to the other, as 
shown on the line B C, though the block is covered by five inex- 
pensive residences. The vignette of Chapter IV is a view taken 



96 



ABBANQEMENT IN PLANTING 



from the point A, and gives but two-thirds of the length of view 
that is seen from either of the side streets. Of course the flowers 
to be planted in the beds on the lawn in the above line of view, 
should be only those which grow within a few inches of the ground ; 
otherwise the effect intended would be marred, 

Plate XXIX is a good example, on a larger scale, of long and 
open views. 

Plate XXI is an illustration of the rule to which we ask the 
reader's attention, as an example of triple vistas on a lot only one 
hundred feet wide; first, that formed by the small shrubs and 
flowers bordering the main walk, with the terrace steps and the 
house bounding the view at one end, and a hemlock archway at the 
other. From the bay-windows of the house the two other divisions 
of the lawn are designed to show to the best advantage, and over 
the low clipped parts of the front hedge, at a a, made low for this 
purpose, their beauty can also be seen by passers on the street. 




Fla?it between radiating lines from the house to the outside of 
the lot, so as to leave opeti lines of view from the principal windows 
and entrance porches ; also find where, without vijuring the views to 
and from the house, the best vistas may be left from the street into the 
lot, and from one point to another across the groimds, or to points of 
interest beyond. 



ARRANGE 21 ENT IN PLANTING. 97 

The accompanying plan, adapted from Loudon, gives a good 
illustration of the observance of the second rule. The plan repre- 
sents the part of a lot in the rear of the dwelling, all of which is 
devoted to lawn and decorative planting ; the entrance-front being 
close to the street. The plantation is supposed to be entirely 
secluded from the street and from contiguous properties by walls. 
The space covered is about 150 x 300 feet. The dotted lines 
radiating from the bow-window show the apparently loose, but 
really Well studied distribution of groups of trees and shrubs in 
radiating lines. On the right, one of these groups forms a screen 
of shrubbery to divide the lawn from the elaborate flower-gai-den 
which forms the distinctive feature of the view from the dining- 
room window. On smaller lots the first part of the second rule 
cannot be illustrated with so much effect, but a general conformity 
to it may be observed in many of our larger plans. 

Plate II represents a lot one hundred and fifty feet front by 
two hundred and fifty deep, where the house is placed much nearer 
the front of the lot, and nearly in the centre. So placed, the long- 
est views over its lawn cannot be obtained from the house in any 
direction, but from many points in the front street, and withm the 
grounds, the lines of view are as long and unbroken as the size of 
the lot will admit of ; while a partial privacy is given to the space 
between the bay-windows and the side street, by a close plantation 
of hedge and shrubbery. Openness, rather than privacy, is the 
characteristic of this plan, however, and its best views are obtained 
on entering or passing it. Yet the lawn, as seen from the bay- 
windows, will be broken by shrubs and trees into a much greater 
variety of views than a careless examination of the plan would lead 
one to suppose. From o, at the intersection of the two streets, 
the eye ranges between two near groups of shrubbery, which frame 
•the view over the lawn to the bay-windows ; and on the right, in 
front of the back veranda, between slender conical trees, a flower- 
bed and a pyramid of roses, under the shade of fruit trees in the 
back yard, to the carriage-house front: — a distance equal to the 
entire length of the lot. From the point marked 2, the view 
changes ; the croquet-ground, and the intervening compact shrubs 
and flower-beds, and an evergreen group at g, come into view. 
7 



98 ARRANGEMENT IN PLANTING. 

Or the eye rests on the near group of shrubs opposite Fig. 3 ; 
or to the left, ranges to the various groups on that side of the 
grounds. At Fig. 5 the view on the right, of the trees, hedge, and 
shrubbery, from g to w, together with pleasing views in other direc- 
tions, make this point the one from which the whole place is seen 
to the best advantage. The views through the archway of trees 
over the front gateway are pleasing in every direction ; and in the 
line towards ti, extend nearly the entire length of the lot. This 
form of lot, when the house is so near the centre, is less adapted to 
illustrate the rule under consideration than most others, and we 
have pointed out its peculiarities in this connection to show the 
effort to conform to the rule under adverse circumstances. The 
reader will please to observe on this plan a dotted line from d to 
the left, parallel with the front street. This is forty feet from the 
front. Within a distance from ten to fifty feet from such fronts is 
usually the part which should be left unplanted, in order that all 
the places in the block may, on that line, form a continuous 
lawn of such park-like character as no one lot could furnish. Most 
of our plans are designed in this manner to secure the advantages 
of associate improvements, and " views from one point to another 
across the grounds, or to some point of interest beyond the 
grounds." 

Rule III. 

Plant the larger trees and shrubs farthest from the centre of the 
lawn, so that the smaller may be seen to advantage in front of them. 

The necessity of observing the third rule, in small places, is so 
obvious, and it is so easy to follow, if one but knows the character 
of the trees and shrubs he is using, that few remarks upon it 
are necessary. The vignette at the head of this chapter is intended, 
as an illustration of the great number and variety of shrubs and 
small trees which may be exhibited in a single group, in such a 
manner that each may show its peculiar beauty without concealing 
any of the others, and at the same time form a harmonious col- 
lection. Not less than twenty species of trees and shrubs may be 
seen at once in such a group, each growing to a perfect develop- 



ARRANGEMENT IN PLANTING. 99 

ment of its best form ; while by a different arrangement in planting, 
the beauties of all the smaller shrubs might be lost to the eye, and 
their growth marred by the domineering habits of the larger ones. 
It will be noticed that in this vignette the weeping elm forms the 
centre of the group. Close to it may be planted some of the large 
shrubs which flourish in partial shade and under the drip of trees. 
Outside of these a few of the smallest class of trees, of peculiar 
and diverse forms, and then the smaller and finer shrubbery 
arranged to carry out the spirit of the rule. No 'engraving, 
however, can do justice to the variety of character in foliage, 
flowers, forms, and colors, that such a group may be made to 
exhibit. 

Rule IV. 

On small lots plant no trees which quickly attain great size, if it is 
intended to have a variety of shrubs or flowers. 

The fourth rule is somewhat difficult to illustrate, because of 
the frequency with which good taste may insist on exceptions to it. 
Few suburban places are so small that one or two large trees, not 
far from the house, will not add greatly to their home-look and 
summer comfort. Trees which" overhang the house and form a 
background, or vernal frame-work for it, are the crowning beauty 
of a home picture. But, in planting small lots, the need of a few 
fruit trees, such as cherries and pears, which one cannot well do 
without, and which, for the safety of the fruit, must be near or 
behind the house, is a necessity that obliges us to dispense with 
the grandeur of great trees where their beauty is most effective, 
and to endeavor to develop another type of beauty for small 
places, viz. : that of artistic elegance in the treatment of small 
things. And it is some satisfaction to know that, with the latter, 
what we attempt may be achieved in a few years, while, if we set 
about planting to secure the nobler effect of large trees, a life-time 
will be .required to see its consummation. Where any large tree is 
already growing, the style of planting must conform to its position, 
size, and character ; but where the plantation is on a bare site, the 
rule is a proper one to follow. In the former case the fine tree is 



100. ARRANGEMENT IN PLANTING. 

to be considered " master of the situation," and all things are to be 
arranged with due regard to it ; but in the latter there is an open 
field for the taste and judgment. 

Rule V. 

I7t adding to belts or groups of trees or shrubs, plant near the 
salient poi?tts, rather than in bays or openings. 

The fifth rule is one which novices in planting are always vio- 
lating. It is such a temptation to plant a tree or shrub " where 
there is most room for it," and " where it will show handsomely," 
that the ignorant planter at once selects some clear place on his 
lawn, or some open bay, for the new comer ; quite forgetful that a 
few such plantings will break the prettiest of lawns into insignifi- 
cant fragments, and change the sunny projections and shado'wy 
bays of a shrubbery border into a lumpish wall of verdure. 

The placement of large and showy bedding plants or annuals 
and perennials must be made on the same principle. They are 
to be regarded as shrubs, and the places for them must be deter- 
mined by their usual size at midsummer. 

Low-growing flowers, or brilliant-leaved and bushy plants, may 
occasionally be relieved to advantage in the shady bays of a shrub- 
bery border, especially if a walk leads near them ; but in general, 
flower-beds (except such as are formed into artistic groups as a 
special feature of a window-view), should be either near walks 
or the points of shrubbery projections. Like gay flags on a 
parade ground, they show to best advantage in the van of the 
advanced columns. 

Rule VI. 

Shrubs which rest upon the lawn should not be planted nearer 
than from six to ten feet from the front fence, except where intended 
to form a continuous screen of foliage. 

The sixth rule is one which may not be practicable to follow on 
very small lots, or where the space is narrow between the house 
and the street ; but there would be a marked improvement in the 



ABBANQEMENT IN PLANTING. 101 

appearance of most places by its observance. In the first place, 
the shrubs themselves, which, it must be supposed, are only 
planted because they are beautiful, will show to much better ad- 
vantage with this introductory lawn or foreground to spread upon. 
To crowd against a fence groups of shrubs which will bend grace- 
fully to the lawn on every side if room is given them, is much like 
the misplacement of elegant robes in a crowd, where they may be 
injured, but can never be seen to advantage. Such a strip of 
introductory lawn is to the ground what a broad threshold stone is 
to the house entrance, giving the place a generous air, and seeming 
to say that the proprietor is not so stinted for room that he must 
needs crowd his sylvan company into the street. Yet it must fre- 
quently happen that the exigencies of small or peculiarly shaped 
lots, require a violation of this rule, in order to secure suffi- 
cient breadth of lawn within, to present a good appearance 
from the house. The plans on Plates XXII, XXIII, XXIV, and 
XXVII, are examples of this necessity. Plates II, XII, XIII, and 
XVIII, on the other hand, show a general attention to the rule ; 
while in the other plans it is kept in view more or less, as the cir- 
cumstances of each case seem to require. 

There is another matter which can hardly be made the subject 
of any rules, but yet demands the attention of every planter. 
Nearly all trees and shrubs are more beautiful on their southerly 
than on their northerly sides, and some trees which glow with 
beauty towards the sun are meagre and unsightly towards the 
north. This fact must therefore be borne in mind in deciding 
where to plant favorite trees or shrubs, so that their fairest sides 
may be towards those points from which they will be most seen ; 
and as there are a few varieties and species of trees which are 
beautiful on all sides— the box and hemlock, for instance — they 
may be placed in locations where the others will not show to 
advantage. 




CHAPTER XII. 

RELATIVE BEAUTY OF LAWN, TREES. SHRUBS, AND 
FLOWERS. 



THE true lover of nature is so omnivorous in his tastes, 
that for him to classify her family into different grades of 
usefulness or beauty, is about as difficult a task as to 
name which of her vegetable productions is the best 
food. But though a variety is better than any one, there is, in 
both cases, strong ground for a decided choice ; and we repeat 
what has already been suggested, that, of all the external decora- 
tions of a home, a well kept Lawn is the most essential. Imagine 
the finest trees environing a dwelling, but everywhere beneath 
them only bare ground: then picture the same dwelling with a 
velvet greensward spreading away from it on all sides, without a 
tree or shrub upon it, and choose which is the most pleasing to the 
eye. The question of value is not to be considered, but simply 
which, in connection with the dwelling, will make the most satis- 
factory impression on the mind. The fine trees are vastly the 



VALUE OF TREES. 103 

more valuable, because it requires half a life-time to obtain them, 
while the lawn may be perfected in two or three years. 

The comparative value of trees and shrubs depends much on 
the extent of the ground and the taste of the occupants. If the lot 
is small, and the family has a decided appreciation of the varied 
characteristics of different shrubs, they will have much more pleas- 
ure from a fine collection of them than from the few trees which 
their lot could accommodate. But if the occupants are not par- 
ticularly appreciative of the varied beauties of smaller vegetation, 
then a few trees and a good lawn only, will be more appropriate for 
their home. Larger lots can have both, but the foregoing con- 
sideration may govern the preponderance of one or the other. 
When once the planting fever is awakened, too many of both ai-e 
likely to be planted, and grounds will be stuffed rather than 
beautified. 

One full grown oak, elm, maple, chestnut, beech, or sycamore 
will cover with its branches nearly a quarter of an acre. Allow- 
ing seventy feet square for the spread of each tree (all the above 
varieties being occasionally much larger), nine such trees would 
completely cover an acre. But as we plant for ourselves, instead 
of for our children, it will be sufficient in most suburban planting 
to allow for half-grown, rather than full-grown trees. Grounds, 
however, which are blessed with grand old trees should have them 
cherished lovingly — they are treasures that money cannot buy — 
and should be guarded with jealous care against the admission of 
little evergreens and nursery trees, which new planters are apt to 
huddle under and around them, to the entire destruction of the 
broad stretches of lawn which large trees require in order to reveal 
the changing beauty of their shadows. Where such trees exist, if 
you would make the most of the ground, lavish your care in 
enriching the soil over their vast roots, and perfecting the lawn 
around them ; and then arrange for shrubs and flowers away from 
their mid-day shadows. Even fine old fruit trees, if standing well 
apart on a lawn, will often give a dignity and a comfortable home- 
look to a place that is wanting in places which are surrounded only 
with new plantings. 

But it is an unfortunate fact that nine-tenths of all the town and 



104 BEAUTY OF SHRUBBERIES. 

suburban lots built on are bare of trees, and therefore, after the 
attainment of a fine lawn, the lowly beauties of shrubs and flowers, 
with all their varied luxuriance of foliage and fragrant bloom, must 
be the main features of the place, while the trees are also growing 
in their midst which may eventually over-top and supersede them. 
If one could imagine Americans to live their married lives, each 
pair in one home, what a pleasing variety might the changing years 
bring them. An unbroken lawn around the dwelling should typify 
the unwritten page in the opening book of earnest life. Young 
trees planted here and there upon it would suggest looking forward 
to the time when, under their grand shadows, the declining years of 
the twain may be spent in dignity and repose. Flowers and shrubs 
meanwhile repay with grateful beauty all their care, until, over- 
shadowed by the nobler growth, they are removed as cumberers of 
the ground, and give way to the simplicity that becomes " a fine 
old home." 

Most small places can be much more charmingly planted with 
shrubs alone, than with trees and shrubs mingled. Indeed, it is 
one of the greatest blunders of inexperienced planters to put in 
trees where there is only room enough for shrubs. A small yard 
may be made quite attractive by the artistic management of shrubs 
and flowers whose size is adapted to the contracted ground ; but 
the same place would be so filled up by the planting of a cherry 
tree or a horse-chestnut, that no such effect could be produced. 

Where the decorative portion of the grounds do not exceed a 
half acre, there can be little question of the superior beauty of 
shrubberies to the very small collection of trees that such narrow 
limits can accommodate. The greatly increased beauty of shrubs 
when seen upon a lawn without any shadowing of trees, nor 
crowded one side or another " to fill-up," can only be appreciated 
by those who have seen the elegance of a tastefully arranged place 
planted with shrubs alone. 

The part which annuals and low growing flowers should have 
in home surroundings may be compared with the lace, linen, and 
ribbon decorations of a lady's dress — being essential ornaments, 
and yet to be introduced sparingly. Walks may be bordered, and 
groups pointed, and bays in the shrubbery brightened by them ; 



GARDEN DE COB ATION S. 105 

or geometrically arranged groups of flower-beds may be introduced 
in the foreground of important window views j but beware of fre- 
quently breaking open stretches of lawn for them. Imagine bits of 
lace or bows of ribbon stuck promiscuously over the body and skirt 
of a lady's dress. " How vulgar ! " you exclaim. Put them in their 
appropriate places and what charming points they make ! Let 
your lawn be your home's velvet robe, and your flowers its not too 
promiscuous decorations. 

Of constructive garden decorations (in which are included pillars 
and trellises for vines, screens, arbors, summer-houses, seats, rock- 
work, terraces, vases, fountains, and statuary), and their compara- 
tive value, we will merely say that really tasteful and durable 
ornamentation of that kind is rather expensive, and therefore to 
be weighed well in the balance with expenditures of the same 
money for other modes of embellishment before ordering such 
work. 

The following remarks from Kemp's admirable little work on 
Landscape Gardening* express our views so fully that we will 
give them entire : 

" A garden may also be overloaded with a variety of things 
which, though ornamental in themselves, and not at all out of keep- 
ing with the house, or the principal elements of the landscape, 
may yet impart to it an affected or ostentatious character. An 
undue introduction of sculptured or other figures, vases, seats, and 
arbors, baskets for plants, and such like objects, will come within 
the limits of this description. And there is nothing of which peo- 
ple in general are so intolerant in others, as the attempt, when 
glaringly and injudiciously made, to crowd within a confined space 
the appropriate adornments of the most ample garden. It is in- 
variably taken as evidence of a desire to appear to be and to 
possess that which the reality of the case will not warrant, and is 
visited with the reprobation and contempt commonly awarded to 



* This is an English work entitled " How to lay out a Garden," a work so complete and 
well condensed, that were it not for the difference in the climate, and in the style of living (and 
consequently of the plans of dwellings, and their outbuildings and garden connections), which 
English thoroughness and cheaper labor make practicable, there had been no need of this 
book. 



106 GARDEN DECORATIONS. 

ill-grounded assumption. An unpresuming garden, like a modest 
individual, may have great defects without challenging criticism ; 
and will even be liked and praised because of its very unobtrusive- 
ness. But where a great deal is attempted, and there is much of 
pretension, whether in persons or things, scrutiny seems invited, 
incongruities are magnified, and actual merits are passed by un- 
noticed, or distorted into something quite ridiculous." 

The improver must decide, before he begins to plan for plant- 
ing, what the size and features of his lot, and his own circum- 
stances, will enable him to accomplish most perfectly. 

If there are trees or shrubs already of good size growing on 
the lot, the first study should be to develop and exhibit all their 
traits to the best advantage ; and to this end a rich soil and a 
perfected lawn are the most essential. 

If the lot is bare of trees, a smooth surface and fine lawn are 
still ground-works precedent to planting, whether the lot be large 
or small. If large enough, choose among large trees the principal 
features of its embellishment ; if less than an acre, plant sparingly 
trees of the first class ; if a rood, or but little more, then lawn, 
shrubs and flowers should be its only verdant furniture. 

We class among shrubs many dwarf evergreens, which, be- 
cause they belong to species which usually attain large size, are 
included in nursery catalogues under the head of trees. They 
will be found classified in our Appendix. We also regard as 
shrubs, in effect, those vigorous growing annuals or perennials 
like the ricinus, cannas, dahlias, and hollyhocks, which grow too 
high to be seen over, and which cast shadows on the lawn near 
them. 




CHAPTER XIII. 



THE LAWN. 



"Whether we look, or whether we listen, 
We hear life murmur, or see it glisten ; 
Every clod feels a stir of might. 

An instinct within it that reaches and towers, 
And, groping blindly above it for light. 
Climbs to a soul in grass and flowers." 

Lowell. 

" On each side shrinks the bowery shade, 
Before me spreads an emerald glade; 
The sunshine steeps its grass and moss. 
That couch my footsteps as I cross." 

Alfred B. Street. 

SMOOTH, closely shaven surface of grass is by far the 
most essential element of beauty on the grounds of a 
suburban home. Dwellings, all the rooms of which 
may be filled with elegant furniture, but with rough uncarpeted 
floor's, are no more incongruous, or in ruder taste, than the shrub 
and tree and flower-sprinkled yards of most home-grounds, where 
shrubs and flowers mingle in confusion with tall grass, or ill-defined 



A 



108 TSE LA WN. 

borders of cultivated ground. Neatness and order are as essential 
to the pleasing effect of ground furniture as of house furniture. 
No matter how elegant or appropriate the latter may be, it will 
never look well in the home of a slattern. And however choice 
the variety of shrubs and flowers, if they occupy the ground so that 
there is no pleasant expanse of close-cut grass to relieve them, they 
cannot make a pretty place. The long grass allowed to grow in 
town and suburban grounds, after the spring gardening fever is 
over, neutralizes to a certain degree all attempts of the lady or 
gentleman of the house to beautify them, though they spend ever 
so much in obtaining the best shrubs, trees, or flowers the neigh- 
bors or the nurseries can furnish. It is not necessary to have an 
acre of pleasure ground to secure a charming lawn. Its extent 
may always be proportioned to the size of the place ; and if the 
selection of flowers and shrubs and their arrangement is properly 
made, it is surprising how small a lawn will realize some of the 
most pleasing effects of larger ones. A strip twenty feet wide and 
a hundred feet long may be rendered, proportionally, as artistic as 
the landscape vistas of a park. 

And it needs but little more to have room to realize by art, and 
with shadowing trees, the sparkling picture that the poet, Alfred B. 
Street, thus presents in his " Forest Walk." 

"A narrow vista, carpeted 
With rich green grass, invites my tread: 
Here showers the light in golden dots, 
There sleeps the shade in ebon spots. 
So blended that the very air 
Seems net-work as I enter there." 

To secure a good lawn, a rich soil is as essential as for the 
kitchen garden. On small grounds the quickest and best way 
of making a lawn is by turfing. There are few neighborhoods 
where good turf cannot be obtained in pastures or by road- 
sides. No better varieties of grass for lawns can be found 
than those that form the turf of old and closely fed pastures. 
Blue-grass and white clover are the staple grasses in them, though 
many other varieties are usually found with these, in smaller 
proportions. 



THE LA WN. 109 

The ground should be brought to as smooth slopes or levels as 
possible before laying the turf, as much of the polished beauty of 
a perfected lawn will depend on this precaution. If the ground 
has been recently spaded or manured, it should be heavily tramped 
or rolled before turfing, to guard against uneven settling, A tol- 
erably compact soil makes a closer turf than a light one. Marly 
clay is probably the best soil for grass, though far less agreeable 
for gardening operations generally than a sandy loam. After com- 
pacting the soil to prevent uneven settling, a few inches on top 
must be lightly raked to facilitate laying the turf, and the striking 
of new roots. Before winter begins all newly laid turf should 
be covered with a few inches of manure. After the ground 
settles in the spring this should be raked off with a fine-toothed 
rake, and the lawn then well rolled. The manure will have pro- 
tected the grass from the injurious effect of sudden freezing and 
thawing in the winter and early spring, and the rich washings from 
it gives additional color and vigor to the lawn the whole season. 
The manure raked from the grass is just what is needed to dig into 
the beds for flowers and shrubs, or for mulching trees. This fall 
manuring is essential to newly set turf, and is scarcely less bene- 
ficial if repeated every year. Cold soap-suds applied from a sprink- 
ling-pot or garden-hose when rains are abundant, is the finest of 
summer manure for grass. If applied in dry weather it should be 
diluted with much additional water. The old rhyme — 



" Clay on sand manures the land, 
Sand on clay is thrown away" 



is eminently true in relation to the growth of grass. The clay 
should always be applied late in autumn. 

If grounds are so large that turfing is too expensive, the soil 
should be prepared as recommended above for turfing, and seeded 
as early in the spring as the ground can be thoroughly prepared 
and settled. If the surface has been prepared the preceding 
autumn, then it will be found a good practice to sow the grass seed 
upon a thin coating of snow which falls frequently early in March. 
Seed can be sown more evenly on snow, because better seen, than 
on the ground. 



110 THE LA WN. 

A variety of opinions prevail concerning the best grasses for 
seeding. It will be safe to say that for lawns timothy and red 
clover are totally unsuited, and that the grasses which make the 
best pastures in the neighborhood, will make the best lawns. The 
following mixture for one bushel of seed is recommended in Hen- 
derson's Manual of Floriculture, viz: 

12 quarts Rhode Island Bent Grass. 

4 quarts creeping Bent Grass, 

lo quarts Red- top. 

3 quarts Sweet Vernal Grass. 

2 quarts Kentucky Blue Grass. 

I quart White Clover. 

We have seen very successful lawns made with equal parts, by 
weight, of Kentucky blue grass, red-top, and white clover seed. 
The quantity required is about a half bushel to each one hundred 
feet square. 

When rains are frequent, no lawn can be brought to perfection 
if cut less often than oftce a week, and two weeks is the longest time 
a lawn should remain uncut, except in periods of total suspension 
of growth by severe drouth. Where shrubs and flowers are placed 
properly, there will always be clear space enough to swing a lawn 
scythe or roll a lawn machine. Only in the most contracted yards 
should there be nooks and corners, or strips of grass, that an or- 
dinary mower cannot get at easily, and without endangering either 
the plants or his temper. Places that are so cluttered with 
flowers, trees, and shrubs that it becomes a vexatious labor for 
a good mower to get in among them, are certainly not well 
planted. Good taste, therefore, in arrangement, will have for its 
first and durable fruits, economy, a product of excellent flavor 
for all who desire to create beauty around their homes, but who 
can illy afford to spend much money to effect it, or to waste any in 
failing to effect it. The advice to plant so as to leave sufficient 
breadth to swing a scythe wherever there is any lawn at all, is none 
the less useful, though the admirable little hatid-mowing machines 
take the place of the scythe ; for a piece of lawn in a place where a 
scythe cannot be swung, is not worth maintaining. 



THE LA WN. Ill 

Rolling mowers by horse or hand power have been principally 
employed on large grounds; but the hand machines are now so 
simplified and cheapened that they are coming into general use on 
small pleasure grounds, and proprietors may have the pleasure of 
doing their own mowing without the wearisome bending of the 
back, incident to the use of the scythe. Whoever spends the early 
hours of one summer, while the dew spangles the grass, in pushing 
these grass-cutters over a velvety lawn, breathing the fresh sweet- 
ness of the morning air and the perfume of new mown hay, will 
never rest contented again in the city. It is likely that professional 
garden laborers will buy these machines and contract cheaply for 
the periodical mowing of a neighborhood of yards, so that those 
who cannot or do not desire to do it for themselves may have 
it done cheaply. The roller is an essential implement in keeping 
the lawn to a fine surface, and should be thoroughly used as soon 
as the frost is out of the ground ; for it will then be most effective 
to level the uneven heaving and settling of the earth. After 
heavy rains it is also useful, not only in preserving a smooth 
surface, but in breaking down and checking the vertical tendency 
of grass that is too succulent. 

The season after seeding many persons are discouraged by the 
luxuriance of the weeds, and the apparent faint-heartedness of the 
grass. They must keep on mowing and rolling patiently. Most 
of these forward weeds are of sorts that do not survive having their 
heads cut off half a dozen times ; while good lawn grasses fairly 
laugh and grow fat with decapitation. Weeds of certain species, 
however, will persist in thrusting their uninvited heads through the 
best kept lawns. These are to be dealt with like cancers. A long 
sharp knife, and busy fingers, are the only cure for them. 




All weave on high a verdant 
That keeps the very sun aloof, 
INIaking a twilight soft and green, 
■ . .,o™r»-, ™,»/«™»ra.ar« -^„,r WithiH the column-vaulted scene.' 

^^ "/ft^v^ ' '¥^*P ARTIFICIAL ADAPTATIONS OF TEEES. 



A 



LL modes of growing trees for decorative or business pur- 
poses may be considered artificial, but what is here 
meant by artificial adaptations are those less common 
forms of culture, by which shrubs and trees are brought 
by skill, or persistent manipulation, into unusual forms for special 
purposes. Hedges, screens, verdant arches, arbors, dwarfed trees, 
and all sorts of topiary work, are examples of such arts. It is 
sometimes objected to these formally cut trees, that- they are un- 
natural, and therefore inadmissible in good decorative gardening. 
But houses, fences, and walks are not natural productions, nor are 
lawns or flower-beds. All our home environments are artificial, 
and it is absurd to try to make them seem otherwise. The objec- 
tion arises from a common misunderstanding that all decorative 



ARTIFICIAL ADAPTATIONS, ETC. 113 

gardening is included in, and subject to the rules of landscape- 
gardening : an unfortunate error. The word landscape conveys an 
idea of breadth and extent of view, so that landscape-gardening 
means gardening on a great scale, in imitation of natural scenery. 
All the effects that can be produced artificially with small trees, by 
topiary arts, may seem puerile as parts of a landscape ; but in the 
dimensions of a small lot, where each feature of the place needs 
to be made as full of interest as possible, no such idea is con- 
veyed. On the contrary, whatever little arts will render single 
sylvan objects more curious and attractive, or more useful for 
special purposes, may with propriety be availed of. It is as absurd 
to apply all the rules of grand landscape-gardening to small 
places, as to imitate in ordinary suburban dwellings the models of 
palaces. The only limit to the use of topiary work of the char- 
acter we are about to treat of is, that whatever is done shall be 
subsidiary to a general and harmonious plan of embellishment, 
and that the forms employed shall have some useful significaJice. To 
shape trees into the forms of animals, or to resemble urns or vases, 
or into ungraceful forms suggestive of no use or beauty, are farci- 
cal freaks of gardening art to be played very rarely and unobtrusive- 
ly. As one of Walter Scott's famed Scotch Judges, when caught 
in the act of playing king in a court of buffoons, is made to say 
that it takes a wise man to know when and where to play the fool, 
so in such fi-eaks of art as those just named, great prudence is 
necessary. The safest course is not to worry or coax nature 
into such caricatures. But hedges, arches, arbors, and bowers 
of verdure are all useful, and the tribute that nature renders to art 
in such forms is as proper and sensible as the modes by which her 
grains and vegetables are improved on farms and in gardens. 

Hedges and Screens. — These are usually made of shrubs or 
trees which naturally take a dense low growth, and, if for barriers 
against animals, of those which are thorny. The wild thorns, and 
other trees" clipped by browsing cattle and sheep until they seem 
condensed into solid masses of leaves and thorns, doubtless sug- 
gested the use of hedges, which has become more general in Eng- 
land than in any other country ; and there the climate and the 



114 



ARTIFICIAL ADAPTATIONS OF 



Fig. 22. 



high rural tastes of the people continue to produce their greatest 
variety and perfection. -With us they are never likely to be used 
to so great an extent for fences owing to the cost of maintaining 
them j but as ornamental and useful screens, and for other deco- 
rative purposes, there need be no limit to their variety. For these 
purposes some of the evergreens are best. 

The arbor-vitaes are peculiarly adapted for hedges and screens ; 
especially for those of medium height, which are not intended to 
turn animals. The species and varieties of arbor-vitae are numer- 
ous, but it is doubtful if there is one among them all more valuable 
for this purpose than the indigenous American species which is 
found wild on the banks of the Hudson, and other eastern rivers ; 
though it is claimed for the Siberian arbor-vitae, and with truth, that 
its foliage has a richer shade of green. 

There is a material difference in the value of different 
forms for hedges ; and the kind of tree used, the purpose 
for which the hedge is intended, and the exposure it is to 
have, must influence the choice of one form rather than 
another. 

Fig. 22 represents a hedge-plant of the arbor-vitae as 
grown, say the third year after planting. It must now 
be decided what form the hedge is to have. Fig. 23 is a section 
of the most common, and, for the arbor-vitae and hemlock, in open 
exposures, a good form. But it is evi- 
dent that a hedge of this form gets 
less sun at the bottom than near the 
top, and the natural result is to pro- 
duce the weakest growth at the 
bottom, and finally that the lowest 
branches die out. The shaded parts 
of hemlocks, if contiguous to moisture, do not seem to suffer for 
want of the direct rays of the sun, but a majority of hedge- 
plants need a full and even light upon them. It is not merely the 
direct rays of the sun which are essential, but that constant light 
from the sky which, with or without the sun, always rests upon 
the top of a hedge. If the top be broad as in Fig. 24, it 
receives nearly all the direct light from above, and shades the 




Fig. 23. 



Fig. 24. 







SMUUBS AND TREES. 115 

part below, and if one side of the 
Fig. 25. hedge is towards the north, that side 

will be deficient in sunlight also. 
A form where the top is as broad 
as the bottom is therefore bad. Be- 
sides, a flat top with vertical sides 
is a clumsy form, and even were it 
not liable to lose its foliage at the bottom, would not be desirable. 
It is difficult to keep a full and healthy growth at the base of such 
hedges after the first five years of their growth, though the hem- 
lock and arbor-vitaes are more manageable in this respect than 
many other hedge-plants. The best form for a hedge is the pyra- 
midal, as in Fig. 25. This has the benefit of an equal distribution 
of light from all directions on the two sides of the hedge. It is 
also the simplest form to make and keep in order ; and is recom- 
mended for evergreen hedges or screens in ordinary exposures. 
But the thin sharp points at the top, and at the bottom on each 
side, are much more liable to injury, and thus mar the continuity 
of the hedge lines, than the rounded form of Fig. 23. This 
objection may be remedied by cutting off the top so as to 
leave a thickness of about six inches of level surface there, and 
the same of vertical surface at the sides, as in the section Fig. 26. 
And as a graceful concave surface is prettier than a straight 
one, the sides above may be hollowed slightly, as shown in 
the same cut. This form tends to give strength and density of 
foliage to the bottom of the hedge, by exposing it more fully to 
the light frOm above. Fig. 27 shows the same principle applied 
to a tall hedge-screen, such as may be made with the Norway 
spruce. Very perfect high hedges may be made with this tree in 
the simple cone form with less labor than the form indicated by 
Fig. 27 will require, but the latter is the best in principle, as well as 
the most beautiful. The different lights and shadows which fall on 
contiguous curved surfaces, or different planes, may be studied with 
good effect in forming hedges. Fig. 28 is a very pretty and prac- 
ticable form which we suggest for those who are willing to take 
the trouble to perfect it. 

Where one side of a hedge has a northern exposure, or is much 
7 



116 



ARTIFICIAL ADAPTATIONS OF 



Fig, 27, 




Fig. 28. 



shaded by trees, it may be well to vary the form so that that side 
shall present a broader surface to the vertical light to compen- 
sate for the lesser sunlight, as shown by Figs, 29 
and 30. The two sides of a hedge are rarely seen 
at one view, so that its apparent symmetry will not 
be marred ; and this difference of form may be re- 
commended as a pleasing variety — giving the beauty 
of two forms of hedge in one — as well as for the 
purpose of equalizing the vigor of the two sides. 

Arbor- vitae and hemlock hedges may be made 
of any height, from three to fifteen feet. Those 
which are to be kept of the minimum size will re- 
quire almost as much time to perfect them as the taller ones, 
as they must be cut back frequently from the start, to force the 
plants into a dwarf habit, and ought to be grown to the required 
breadth at the bottom before they are of full height. 
For a height of three feet, let the hedge be two feet 
wide at the bottom. As the height is increased the 
base need not increase proportionally. A hedge six 
feet high may have a base of three and a half feet, 
one ten feet high five feet, and so on ; remembering 
to give the side which is to have the least light the 
greatest expansion at the bottom. 

We consider the tree box, where hardy, the best of all ever- 
green trees for low hedges, and though its growth is slow com- 
pared with that of the trees already named, we would use it in 
preference to anything else for hedges not designed to be more 
than three feet high. But it may 
not be hardy enough to be reliable 
in a climate more severe than that 
of the city of New York ; and as it 
does best in partially shaded places, 
it is less beautiful in open, dry, and 
sunny exposures. For such places 
the arbor-vitae is better. 

For topiary screens of great height the hemlock and Norway 
spruce, both of which bear cutting well, are very beautiful. INIore 




Fig. 29. 



Fig. 30. 





SffHUJBS AND TREES. 117 

care is required in making hemlock, than arbor-vitae hedges, as 
they are not so tenacious of Hfe, and require a soil of greater 
moisture. 

There should be a small reserve of trees kept in one's own 
garden for the purpose of filling the gaps the next season following 
the planting. It is desirable to obtain plants not more than one 
foot high which have been twice transplanted in the nursery. They 
may be planted from one to two feet apart, according to the size of 
the hedge intended. The larger the hedge is to be, the greater the 
distance that may be allowed between the trees. The hemlock 
loves a cool, as well as moist soil, and does well in partial shade, 
though if the roots be in cool, moist soil, its greatest luxuriance and 
beauty is developed in the most sunny exposure ; that is to say, it 
should have its roots in the shade and the top in the sun. Its own 
boughs trail naturally on the ground to make such a protection for 
the roots, and in forcing the tree into a hedge form it should be 
allowed, and even forced, to make the greater part of its growth 
laterally. For some years after planting, the top growth should 
be continually cut back, and the side branches allowed full license. 
At the end of three years the hedge should be pyramidal, and 
not more, than three feet high, and the same width at the bottom. 
For a hedge from five to eight feet high, a width of four feet is suffi- 
cient, and the top should not be allowed to increase faster than six 
inches a year till the required height is attained. Where a hedge 
of greater altitude is desired, we would allow the hemlock to attain 
the full breadth required for the perfected hedge before permitting 
much increase in height. If, for instance, a screen fifteen feet high 
is wanted, then the trees that compose the hedge-row should 
be allowed to grow until they cover five feet in breadth, while the 
top should be kept back, so that in four years after planting its 
section will present the form of an equilateral triangle. Thereafter 
the bottom should be kept nearly the same width, and the top 
allowed to increase in height at the rate of not more than a foot a 
year until the required height is attained. The hemlock and arbor- 
vitae may be trimmed at any time from the middle of June to the 
first of October. June and September are, however, the best 
periods. The soil along young hedge-rows should be cleanly cul- 



118 ARTIFICIAL ADAPTATIONS OF 

tivated as for a row of garden vegetables. The arbor-vitaes grow 
so naturally into a hedge-form, that little skill is required to shape 
them. The hemlock and other evergreens require much more 
attention. 

Where it is necessary to have a high screen without delay, we 
would plant the Norway spruce, and let it grow pretty nearly in a 
natural way, until it reaches the height needed. The plants need 
not be nearer than two feet apart, and are apt to grow more evenly 
when small trees — say jQrom one to two feet high — are planted. 
Those which grow fastest must be kept back to the same rate of 
growth as the weakest, or the former will in a few years over-top 
and kill out the latter. Further than for this purpose, the lower 
branches should not be cut back unless the top is also cut. A ver- 
dant wall of Norway spruce twelve feet high may be grown in six 
years from the time of planting, and must be allowed three or four 
feet on each side of the stems for the lateral extension of the lower 
branches. When the required height is attained, the tops can be 
kept cut to it, and both sides dipt back to the form of the section 
of a cone, the base of which is equal to half its height. The screen 
can thereafter be cut late every June, so as to leave but an inch or 
two of the last growth, and again in September if a second growth 
has pushed strongly. 

It is seldom desirable to make topiary screens more than ten 
or twelve feet high, as the trouble and expense of clipping them 
from a movable scaffold is considerable. Where there is need, 
and room, for higher screens, the object may be attained less 
expensively and less formally with groups and belts of pines and 
firs. But it happens sometimes that a screen of considerable 
height is required where there is not ground to spare for the 
growth of trees in a natural way ; and in such cases it is practi- 
cable to form Norway spruce hedges to any height at which they 
can be clipped, and without occupying for the base of the hedge 
more than from six to ten feet in width. 

In general, hedges should be within a height that a man 
on the ground, with the proper instrument, can cut any part of 
them. 

For evergreen hedges of a defensive character, that is to say, 



SHRUBS AND TREES, 119 

which have the strength, or the thorns, to prevent animals from 
going through them, we know of none that have been proved. 
What is called the Evergreen thorn, Crcetegus pyracanthus^ is an 
admirable thorny hedge-tree, but not truly an evergreen. It may, 
perhaps, rank as a sub-evergreen. The Menzies fir, Abies meji- 
ziesii, seems to be peculiarly fitted for such a hedge, its leaves 
being sharp and stiff as needles, the growth compact, the foliage 
dense, and pointing in all directions. It is now a high-priced tree. 
When it becomes cheap we hope to see it tried for hedges. Like 
the hemlock and the balsam fir, it does best in a warm, humid soil, 
and it is possible that in the exposures required for hedges, it may 
not prove hardy enough to resist both the sun and the cold. The 
Cephalonia fir, Picea cephalonica, though its leaves are less 
cutting than those of the Menzies fir, are still somewhat formida- 
ble j and as its growth is vigorous, healthy, and compact, it may 
prove valuable for large hedges. 

There are some dwarf species of white pine which will make 
exquisite low hedges of a broader and rounder form than is recom- 
mended for any of the foregoing trees ; but they are not yet fur- 
nished at such rates as to make their use practicable ; and the 
common white pine may be clipped into hedge forms. 

The American holly. Ilex opaca, has stiff glossy leaves armed 
with spines on their scolloped edges, and will probably make the 
most formidable of evergreen hedges for this country. 

The yews, much employed in England for hedges, are not hardy 
enough to be used north of Philadelphia. 

Among deciduous trees and shrubs the number adapted to 
hedges is much larger than most persons suppose. Almost the 
whole family of thorns, natives of this country, as well as of 
Europe, besides the fragrant hawthorn, are easily made into excel- 
lent hedges. Our wild crab-apple tree can be trimmed into a 
compact form of superlative beauty and fragrance in the blooming 
season, and sufficiently offensive by its thorns to turn trespassers. 
The mere capability of any tree or shrub to become a strong, 
dense, and handsome wall of foliage, if kept down to a hedge 
form, is not a sufficient recommendation. It is not so much a 
question of what trees and shrubs can be made into hedges, as 



120 ARTIFICIAL ADAPTATIONS OF 

which of them can be grown for that purpose, and kept in hand- 
some and serviceable shape with the least annual expense and 
liability to accidents or diseases. Hedges may be made of the 
honey locust, but the labor of restraining their sprouts and suckers 
is about as profitable as that of training a Bengal tiger to do the 
work of an ox. The beautiful osage orange partakes somewhat of 
the same wild character, but has been subdued with great success, 
and is likely to prove the most valuable of live fencing in the 
Middle and Western States. But we see no advantage for merely 
decorative purposes on suburban grounds in confining a deciduous 
tree of such erratic luxuriance within monotonous hedge-limits, 
while evergreen trees of greater beauty, which naturally assume 
formal contours, can be more easily grown and kept in order for 
the same purpose. 

Hedges, formidable by reason of their thorns, are only re- 
quired for suburban places, on boundary lines contiguous to alleys 
or streets, where trespassers are to be guarded against. In 
such localities there is probably nothing better than the osage 
orange. 

The beautiful English hawthorns, with their variety of many- 
colored blossoms, will develop their greatest beauty and bloom in 
other than hedge-forms. The buckthorn so much lauded twenty 
years ago for a hedge-plant, is one of the poorest and homeliest of 
all. The Fiery or Evergreen thorn, Crcetegus pyracanthus^ is a 
variety with very small leaves, almost evergreen, which assumes a 
hedge-form naturally, is formidable with thorns to resist intrusion, 
and covered with red berries in autumn. It grows slowly, and will 
make a charming low hedge. The Japan quince will also form a 
fine hedge with sufficient patience and labor. Its growth is ex- 
ceedingly straggling, and the wood so hard to cut that it is expen- 
sive to keep in shape \ but when grown to the proper size and 
form, its showy early bloom and glossy leaves, hanging late, make 
it one of the prettiest. The common privet belongs to a differ- 
ent class. It is a natural hedge-plant; strikes root freely from 
cuttings, grows quickly, and its wood cuts easily. The leaves 
appear early and hang late, and though not of the most pleasing 
color, they form a fine compact wall of verdure. It is, therefore, 



SHRUBS AND TREES, 



131 



natural that the privet should long have been a favorite for garden 
hedges. The wax-leaved privet, Ligustrum lucidum, and the Cali- 
fornia privet, Z. californica, are shrubs of larger and more glossy 
foliage, and probably hardy in most parts of the country. The 
lilacs, bush honeysuckles, syringas, altheas, weigelias, and some 
wild roses, may all be grown as hedges with pleasing effect where de- 
ciduous plants are used. In short, good hedges are much more the 
result of the patience and persistent care of the gardener than of the 
natural tendencies of certain shrubs or trees. 

Fig. 31. 

Verdant Arches and Bowers. — In 
Chapter VI some allusion was made to the 
pretty effect of verdant gateway arches. 
There is no limit to the charming variety of 
effects that can be produced by training 
and pruning trees and large shrubs, both 
evergreen and deciduous, into fanciful 
forms for gateway and garden arches, 
verdant pavilions, and bowers. As ever- 
greens are most constantly beautiful for 
such purposes, we will first call attention to 
a few forms in which they may be used. 
The hemlock can be treated as illustrated 
by Figs. 31, 32, and 33, which we here re- 
peat. The first represents two hemlocks 
which have been planted two feet away from, 
and on each side of an ordinary gateway. 
After five or six years' growth they may be 
high enough to begin work upon. A crotch- 
ed stick about two feet shorter than the dis- 
tance of the trees apart, is stretched from one 
to another, from six to seven feet from the ground, and fixed there 
to keep the tops apart up to that point. Above the stick, the tops 
(supposing that they are tall enough to admit of it) are to be bent 
towards each other until they join, then twisted together, and tied 
so that they cannot untwist. To do this so as to form a graceful 
arch, the trees must be about eleven or twelve feet high. After 




123 



ARTIFICIAL ADAPTATIONS OF 



Fig. 33. 




they are firmly intertwined at the top, which is usually in about two 
years' growth, the clipping" of the sides and tops can be going on 
to bring the arch to a form like that of 
Fig. 32, or to any similar design the 
proprietor may desire. An arch like the 
latter figure may be brought to considera- 
ble perfection in the course of ten years. 
Fig. 2)3 shows the probable appearance 
that a hemlock archway would present in 
twenty years after planting, supposing 
the trees were allowed to develop 
more naturally after their artificial char- 
acter was well established. Such arches 
increase in quaint beauty as they grow 
old, and after the first ten years will need 
but little care. Fig. 34, as we have already mentioned in 
Chapter VI, is intended to show another effect, which may be 
produced with the same side trees, by joining and twisting 
together two side branches to form the arch, leaving the main 
stems to form two spiry sides, and trim- 
ming to produce this form. Another mode 
that, if well executed, would produce a curi- 
ous effect, is to unite the main stems as in 
the first mode, but instead of twisting 
them to grow vertically over the middle 
of the gate, the twist should be made hori- 
zontally, so that the tops would project 
sideways, as shown farther on for elm- 
tree arches. This in time would develop 
into a wide crescent, inverted over the 
arch, or it might be likened to a pair of 
huge horns guarding the arch. The variety 
of novel forms that such trees can be made to assume after ten 
or twelve years' growth will surprise most persons. The same 
kind of arches on a smaller scale can be made with the arbor-vitae, 
but the branches are not so pliable. It may be used to advantage 
for narrower and lower arches. 



Fig. 34. 




SSBUBS AND TMEES. 



12c 



For arbors or bowers the hemlock is equally well adapted. 
We would suggest as the simplest form to begin with, that four 
hemlocks be planted at the intersection of two walks, say five or 
six feet apart. By cutting back the side branches to within one 
foot of the trunk, the growth at the tops will be increased so that 
in five or six years they may be tall enough to allow the opposite 
diagonal corners to be twisted together. If the trees are all thrifty, 
the twist will become fixed in two years. ' The fragrant and grace- 
ful foliage of the hemlock can thus be made to embower retired 
seats, or make quaint openings for diverging paths. Such arbors or 
arches can be made much more quickly with carpentry and lovely 
vines, but the permanent and more unusual structures made with 
living trees must nevertheless be more interesting. 

The hemlock may be used to make artificial pavilions of a 
still larger kind if trained through a period of ten or fifteen years. 
Suppose six trees to be planted at the corners of a hexagon ten or 
twelve feet in diameter. Let them feather naturally to the ground 
on the outside of the group, and trim to within one or two feet of 
the trunks on the inside. When twelve feet high, pass a rope 
around the circle, on a level, two 
or three feet below their tops, so 
as to draw them towards the cen- 
tre of the circle as far as the main 
stems may be safely bent, which 
will probably be about three feet 
inside of the perpendicular. If 
the circle is twelve feet in diame- 
ter, this will still leave six feet un- 
inclosed at the top. The rope is 
to be left around them until the 
trees have grown five to six feet 
higher, when another binding will 
bring their tops together, and if 

they are long enough they may be twisted together. Fig. 35 is a 
section of the stems alone, to illustrate the general form intended. 
When the six trees are together at the centre they should be made 
to grow like one, and the branches that grow from the upper sides 



Fig. 35. 




124 



ARTIFICIAL ADAPTATIONS OF 



Fig. 36. 



of the curved steins must be cut back to prevent them from becom- 
ing leaders. Fig. 36 sliows one development of this mode of 
training ; the sides and top having been trimmed in mosque- 
dome form, the curve of the living frame of the pavilion being 
well adapted to produce it. It will require from twelve to fifteen 
years to perfect such a pavilion, but the group will be pretty, and 
interesting at every stage of its growth. In this, as in most other 
things in life, it is well to remember Shakespeare's lines — 

"What's won is Aon&;— Joy's soul lies in the doing." 

A pretty variation of the above plan, for larger verdant pavil- 
ions, may be created by simply 
bending the tree-tops towards the 
centre in the manner above de- 
scribed, but not close together, 
leaving a circular opening six feet 
wide over the centre, in the man- 
ner of a dome sky-light. 

The fir trees, though fine for 
lofty screens or hedges, have more 
rigid wood, and do not bear so 
much bending; still very beauti- 
ful results of a similar kind may 
be produced with the Norway 
spruce, which is the best of the 
firs for this purpose. It bears cut- 
ting quite as well as the hemlock. 
The Cypressus Lawso7iia7iav^Yi\ch. 
combines a rapid growth, and the freedom of the hemlock, with 
arbor-vitae-like foliage, will be an admirable tree for large works of 
this kind, if it continues to prove hardy. 

The pines are mostly disposed to drop their lower limbs as 
they increase in height, and this peculiarity may be availed of 
in producing other forms of growth. If, for instance, it is desired 
to make an evergreen umbrage in which to take tea out of doors 
in summer, it may be provided by planting four white pines, say 
twelve feet apart each way ; and when they are from eight to ten 




5--!l¥s«a-Ni. il^S?? 



SSEUBS AJSB TREES. 125 

feet high, cutting their leaders out so as to leave a tier of branches 
as nearly as possible at the same height on the four trees. The 
following year see to it that none of these upper branches turn up 
to make leaders, and if necessary tie them down to a horizontal 
direction. By attending to this for two years the top tier of 
shoots will make a horizontal growth, which will meet in a few 
years over head, and form a table-like top of foliage. But to 
insure this effect, the tree must be watched for some years to 
prevent any strong shoots from taking an upward lead, and 
thus draw the sap away from the horizontal branches. After 
these have met over head, and form a sufficient shade, the part 
above may be allowed to grow as it will. The check and 
change in the growth of the trees by such manipulation, carried 
on for several years, insures a novel and picturesque form for 
the group that will be permanent. As the white pine attains great 
size at maturity, it is not well to attempt such an arbor on quite 
small grounds. 

'Deciduous trees being more subject to insects on their foliage, 
are less desirable than evergreens for these uses, but they spread 
at the top more rapidly, can be more quickly grown to the re- 
quired forms, and are covered at certain seasons with beautiful 
and fragrant blossoms ; so that in variety of attractions some of 
them are unequalled by any evergreens. The latter wear through- 
out the year the beauty of constant cheerfulness, while the former, 
with the changing seasons, are alternately barren of graces, or 
bending with foliage and glowing with blossoms. 

For archways there are no finer deciduous trees than the 
English hawthorns, and the double flowering scarlet thorn, Crcete- 
gus coccinnea flore plena. They can be planted at the sides of foot- 
path gates, in the same manner as recommended for the hemlock, 
and it will only be necessary to trim them on the inside, so as to 
keep the opening unincumbered ; as the hawthorns bloom best on 
their extended garland-like branches. But they should be trimmed 
enough to prevent any decidedly straggling outline, to show that 
they are intended as artificial adaptations for a purpose. Fig. 37 
shows a suitable form for a hawthorn arch. 

For bowers, or umbrageous groups surrounded by open sunny 




126 ARTIFICIAL ADAPTATIONS OF 

ground, the same form suggested for hemlocks and pines is adapted 
to the hawthorns ; viz., planting in a square or circle so that the 
interior can be used for a cool summer resort for smoking or read- 
ing, a place to take tea, or a children's play- 
FiG. 37. house. A dense canopy of leaves forms the 

coolest of shades in the hot hours of summer 
days. To form such a canopy with hawthorns 
will require about ten years, and may be 
made by planting six trees in a hexagonal 
form. All our readers may not remember 
that if they make a circle of any radius, 
that radius applied from point to point on 
'he circle will mark the six points of a hexa- 
gon. The following varieties of hawthorn are 
recommended for five of these places, viz. : the common white, 
Crcetegus oxycantha, the pink flowered, C. 0. rosea, the dark red, 
C. 0. punicea, the double red, C. 0. punicea fiore plena, the double 
white, C. o. multiplex, and for the sixth the double scarlet thorn, 
C. coccinnea flore plena. These will in time make a bower of 
exquisite beauty in the time of bloom, and of such full and glossy 
foliage that it will have great beauty during all the leafy season. 
After such bowers are well thickened overhead by the annual 
cutting back of the rankest upright growth, they are interesting 
objects even in winter, by the masses of snow borne on their flat 
tops, and the contrast presented between the deep shadows under 
them, and the brightness of the snow around. 

Some gardeners object to the use of the hawthorn in this coun- 
try, on account of its alleged liability to the attacks of a borer that 
injures the trunk, and the aphis which attacks the leaves. We 
shall not advise to refrain from planting it on this account, believ- 
ing that if planted in deep good soils, and the ground beneath 
kept clean, it will usually make so vigorous a growth as to 
repel the attacks of these insects, which usually choose feeble 
and stunted trees to work in. The hawthorns are all bushy 
when young, and their development into overarching trees will 
be somewhat slower than that of the following deciduous trees. 
The sassafras is eminently adapted to form a useful bower of 



SHUUBS AND TREES. 127 

the kind above described, as it naturally assumes a parasol-like 
top, grows rapidly, and dispenses with its bottom limbs quickly. 
Being disposed to form crooked stems, some care must be 
used in choosing straight-bodied thrifty nursery trees, and pro- 
tecting the trunks until they are large enough not to need it. 
Six thrifty trees will grow into a perfect canopy, of the size sug- 
gested, within five years, if their central stems are cut back, and 
kept to a height of about eight feet. For the next five years all 
the upright growth at their tops should be annually cut back, so 
that the trees will not exceed twelve feet in height. Afterwards 
they may be allowed to grow naturally ; but their greatest beauty 
will not be attained in less than fifteen or twenty years. 

Fig. 38 shows the ap- ^^^^ ^^ 

pearance they should make 
in ten or twelve years after 
planting. 

Next to the sassafras, 
probably the judas or red- 
bud trees, Cercis canadensis 
and C. siliquastrum, form most 
naturally into this kind of flat- 
roofed bower. The White- 
flowered dogwood, Cornus flori- 

da, is also adapted to the same use. Both spread lower than 
the sassafras, but do not grow so rapidly when young. The 
moose-wood or striped-barked maple, on the other hand, attains 
the height required in a single season, and its green and yellow- 
striped bark is ornamental. The branches, after the trunk has 
attained the height of ten or fifteen feet, radiate naturally to form 
a flat-arched head, and grow much slower than the first vigorous 
growth of the stem would lead one to suppose. The foliage is large 
and coarse, but the form of the tree is suited to the purpose under 
consideration. Its large racemes of winged seeds, of a pinkish 
color, are very showy in August. The paper mulberry is also a 
valuable tree for such uses, and attains the required size and 
density of head in less time than any of the others. The foliage is 
unusually abundant and of a dark green color. 




128 



ARTIFICIAL ADAPTATIONS OF 



Perhaps the most beautiful of all small trees for such purposes 
is the weeping Japan sophora. It is grafted from seven to ten feet 
high on other stocks, and for many years its growth is slow ; but if 
one will have the patience to wait, a more charming and curious 
bower can be made with a circle of sophoras than of any tree we 
know of. An engraving of this variety may be found in the de- 
scription of the species, Part II, Chapter III. 

We have named only a few of the trees which may be made use 
of for growing these artificial bowers. For very small grounds 
there are many arboreous shrubs which may be used to produce 
similar effects on the inside, and appear as naturally grown groups 
on the outside. 

Single apple trees sometimes form great bowers with their own 
branches alone. There is a beautiful specimen of this kind in the 
grounds of W. S. Little, Esq., of Rochester, N. Y. It is an old 
tree of the twenty ounce pippin variety. At the height of seven or 
eight feet its branches spread horizontally, and finally bend to the 
ground on all sides, enclosing in deep shadow a circular space forty 
feet wide ; an arched opening is made on one side. A sketch of 
this tree is given in the engraving at the end of this chapter. 

Elms may be used with good effect for arches of a larger 
growth than those already suggest- 
ed. The adjoining sketch, Fig. 39, 
will illustrate one mode of procedure, 
where there is room for large trees. 
Two common weeping elms are to 
be chosen, each having two diverg- 
ing branches at the height of six to 
eight feet from the ground, and to be 
so planted that the extension of these 
branches will be parallel with the 
fence. For a foot-walk gate-way, 
plant them about two feet back from 
the fence-line, and the same distance, 
or less, from the walk. After the trees have grown so that the 
branches towards the gate are long enough to be connected, as 
shown in Fig. 39, and upwards of half an inch in diameter, they 



Fig. 39. 




SSBUBS AND TREES. 



129 



may be brought together and twisted round and round each other 
vertically, and tied together so that they cannot untwist ; or they 
may be grafted together as shown on the sketch at /. The twist 
will, however, be the strongest and simplest mode. The branches 
that proceed from the twisted ones below the union, must be kept 
cut back to within two or three feet, so as to encourage the strong- 
est growth in the part above the twist. The next spring, if these 
united branches have done well, the outer branches of both trees 
may be cut off at a, a, and grafted with scions of the Scamston 
elm. If the grafts take, and the growth and trimming of all 
parts are properly attended to, the lower growth forming the gate- 
way arch should be all Scamston elm, crowned over the centre 
with the loftier common elm, presenting an appearance in the 
course of ten years something like the accompanying engraving. 

Fig. 40. 




The Scamston elm grows with great vigor in a horizontal and 
downward direction only, and its long annual shoots, and dark 
glossy leaves overlap each other so closely that an arch cut in one 
side has the appearance of being cut through a mound of solid 
verdure. Their tops are flatly rounded, like unfinished hay-stacks, 
9 



130 



ARTIFICIAL ADAPTATIONS, ETC. 



Fig. 41. 



and the common elm emerging from the centre (as shown in the 
engraving), and bending its long arms over the former with a freer 
growth, might, we think, present a combination of grotesque grace 
less formal in expression than our illus- 
tration. 

A broad flat-topped arch of a similar 
character may be made by grafting all 
four of the branches with the Scamston 
elm at a, a, Fig. 39, and the points oppo- 
site. This may be perfected more quickly. 
For an archway over a carriage en- 
trance two common elms may be 
planted by the sides of the gateway, and when their side 
branches are long enough, may be twisted round and round 
each other, and tied together, and the other parts of the tree 
trimmed to develop the best growth of the branches depended 
on to form the arch. Fig. 41 illustrates the appearance of the 
trees without their leaves a year or two after the twist has been 
made. 






CHAPTER XV, 



PLANS OF RESIDENCES AND GEOUNDS. 




tions. 



EFORE proceeding to examine the plans, the reader is 
requested to observe the symbols used, as shown on the 
preceding page. 

We desire also to offer a few preliminary explana- 
First, every intelligent reader knows that no two building 
lots are often exactly alike in any respect. Not only in size and 
form, but in elevation, in shape of surface, in the exposure of the 
front to the north, east, south, or west, or intermediate points ; in 
the presence and location of growing trees, large or small ; in the 
nature of the improvements to the right or left, in front or rear ; 
in the aspect of the surrounding country or city; in the connec- 
tions with adjacent streets or roads ; in the prospective changes 
that time is likely to bring which will affect their improvement for 
good or ill ; — all these things are external conditions as similar in 
the main as the colors of the kaleidoscope, and as invariably differ- 
ent from each other in their combiriations. Not only these external 
conditions, but an equally numerous throng of circumstantial con- 
ditions connected with the tastes, the means, the number, and the 
business of the occupants, tend to render the diversities of our 



132 FLANS OF RESIDENCES 

homes and home-grounds still more innumerable. It is, therefore, 
improbable that any one of the plans here presented for the 
reader's study will precisely suit any one's wants ; but that their 
careful examination and comparison will be of service in planning 
houses and laying out lots of a somewhat similar character, we 
earnestly hope. We furnish them as a good musical professor 
does his instrumental studies, not to be used as show-pieces, but to 
be studied as steps ^.xA points-d' appnis for one's own culture. 

In naming the selection of trees and shrubs for many of the 
smaller places, we have endeavored to be as careful in their selec- 
tion as if each place were an actual one, and our own ; — leaning, 
however, in most cases, to that style of planting which will have 
the best permanent effect, rather than to an immediate but ephem- 
eral display ; and fully conscious that a skillful gardener may 
name many other and quite different selections for the same 
places, that will be equally adapted to them ; and that in carrying 
out such plans on the ground, the insufficiency of designs on so 
small a scale to present all the finishing small features that make 
up the beauty of a complete place, will be very evident. The 
choice of trees and shrubs for locations otherwise similar, must 
be influenced by a consideration of the climate. Many which do 
well near the sea-coast are not hardy on more elevated ground in 
the same latitude ; while others are healthy in the high lands that 
prove sickly in more southern and alluvial valleys. A selection for 
a lot near New York should not be altogether the same as for 
Saratoga or St. Pauls, Richmond or Louisville ; and for the Gulf 
States (except in the most elevated regions) it would be totally 
unsuited. Southward from the latitude of New York, each degree 
(except so far as the influence of latitude is counteracted by that of 
altitude) will enable the planter to grow some tree or shrub not 
safe to plant, under ordinary conditions, any further north. As the 
latitude and climate of New York city represent the average re- 
quirements of a greater population than any other, in this countr}', 
our selection for the places described in this chapter are generally 
suited to such a climate; and in planting, the reader must be 
directed by his own study as to what substitutions are necessary 
in latitudes north or south of it. 



Plate I H 



121, H 




Scale 8 uuii-4- feet. 



AND GROUNDS. 133 

We have remarked in a preceding chapter on the impractica- 
bility of furnishing plans for grounds of uneven surfaces, or for 
those which have trees growing on them, without an accurate 
survey of all these features. The plans which follow, therefore, 
pre-suppose bare sites, and rather level ones ; but the study of 
arrangement on these will be found to embrace most of the ques- 
tions that interest those who are forming or expecting to form 
suburban homes. 

» 

Plate I.— B. 

Plan for a Compact House and Stable on a Corner Lot 128 x 220 feet. 

Reference has been made to this plate in Chapter IX for 
the purpose of illustrating a mode of planning the grounds on 
paper, and working from the paper plan. The lot has an 
area of less than two-thirds of an acre. The main house is 
thirty-six feet square, with a kitchen-wing twenty-two feet wide, 
carried back under a continuous roof to form the carriage-house, 
wash-shed, and stable, — in all sixty-four feet in length. We be- 
lieve that it is rarely that so many of the requirements of a 
pleasant house are brought within so small an area. Doubtless 
most lady-housekeepers will rebel against the thought of having 
the carriage-house and stable in such close proximity to the 
dwelling. It is the only plan in this work thus arranged ; but in 
our north-border States we believe it to be a wise arrangement ; 
not only vastly more economical in construction, and convenient 
for the family and their servants, but also, in the hands of a good 
architect, capable of adding greatly to the attractiveness of the 
house by giving it an air of extent and domesticity that so many of 
the box-like suburban houses of the day are totally wanting in. We 
do not believe there is any more need of being annoyed by flies or 
smells from a stable than from a kitchen ; and if the latter can be 
kept so that it is a pleasant room to have within ten feet of living- 
rooms, where doors open directly from one to another, we know no 
reason why the stable may not be within fifty feet, where there are 
no direct connections, and four or five intervening partitions. One 



134 PLANS OF RESIDENCES 

only needs to see how pleasantly it looks and works in the keeping 
of a neat family, to be surprised that this system has not long ago 
been adopted at the north. It is not only a great economy in the 
first cost of the house and stable, but an equal economy of lot- 
room. Here is a lot of but little more than half an acre, with the 
apparent ground-room for a mansion ; with a lawn two hundred 
and twenty feet in length, a large variety of trees and shrubbery, 
an abundance of summer fruits, and a sufficient kitchen-garden for 
the use of one family ; and jfet nothing is crowded. This economy 
of space is in part attributable to the compact unity of the dwelling 
and domestic offices. 

Let us now examine the ground-plan. The street in front is 
supposed to be two feet and a half below the ground-level on that 
front, and to have a wall with a stone coping level with the 
grass ; — the side-street rising so that where the carriage-road 
enters it, the two are on the same level. The coping of the 
front wall is carried around and continued up the sides of the 
main entrance-walk in a style similar to, but not quite so 
costly, as that illustrated in the vignette of Chapter IV. This 
walk is six feet wide. Street trees, if any are planted in 
, front, should be placed so that the middle of the space between 
them is on the line of the middle of the walk continued, and 
should be the same distance apart as the trees of the short avenue 
on each side of the walk ; that is, twenty feet. Supposing the 
street trees are elms, we would plant at a, a, weeping Scotch elms, 
Ulmus moiitana pendula ; at b, b, weeping beeches ; at c, c, cut- 
leaved weeping birches. The evergreen screens on the right and 
left are to be composed principally of hemlocks. That on the 
right is intended to make an impervious screen so that the yard 
behind it on that side cannot be seen from the street. The 
flower-beds on the parlor side of the lot are designed to be the 
especial charge of the lady-florist of the house, and these ever- 
green screens will give a partial privacy to that section of the lot. 
The screens also act as boundaries of the avenue, making the 
entrance-walk a distinct and isolated feature — a shado\^7 arbor of 
the overarching foliage of deciduous trees, with a back-ground on 
each side of ever2;reen verdure. The depth of shadow in passing 



ANB GROUNDS. 135 

through such an approach will serve to bring into bright relief the 
unshadowed front of the house, and the open expanse of sunny 
lawn around it. The evergreen trees that are within fifteen feet of 
the deciduous trees which form the avenue should not be allowed 
to make their full natural growth upwards, but be topped irregu- 
larly so that the latter may not be obstructed in their natural 
expansion. The avenue trees are to be considered the rightful 
owners of all the space they can grow to fill, and the evergreens 
only tenants at will so far as they occupy places which the 
branches of the deciduous trees will eventually overgrow. But 
for many years both may grow unharmful to the other. 

In the back part of the lot let us take an inventory of the utili- 
tarian features of the plan, and then of their connection with the 
decorative effect. The grape-walk, it will be seen, is on a right line 
with the length of the side veranda. A double arch marks the 
entrance to this and the dwarf pear walk. Arch openings in the 
grape-trellis give access to the walks of the kitchen-garden for the 
family, while for work and for servants' use, another walk leads 
from the wash-room and the back veranda. The vegetable garden 
is thus entirely out of sight from the house, and from every part 
of the grounds, and yet has a sufficiently open exposure, and the 
most convenient proximity to the kitchen. The long grape-walk 
trellis will have a good exposure, to whatever point of the compass 
its length tends. The same may be said of the dwarf pear border. 
There are six standard pear trees, four cherry, two peach, and 
one apple tree marked on the plan. Other peach trees may be 
planted in between the cherries and pears if the owner will be 
sure to cut them out as soon as the cherry and pear trees need all 
the room. Few persons are aware how much healthier and more 
productive fruit trees are which are allowed to grow low, and with 
unlimited expansion from the beginning. Therefore we warn 
against planting permanent trees too thickly, and against leaving 
short-lived trees, like the peach, too long in the way of the per- 
manencies. There are, however, some dry clay soils where the 
peach tree does not quickly become decrepit — as it is pretty sure 
to do in a light sand or rich loam — and there it may be well to 
allow it the necessary room for mature growth, independent of the 



136 PLANS OF RESIBEN CE 8 

growth of Other trees. It will be seen that the borders of the lot 
offer ample room for the growth of small fruits for one family. 
Strawberries may be grown in cultivated strips under the standard 
pear trees. 

From the dining-room window which opens upon the veranda, 
pleasing vistas down the grape-walks and the pear-walks will be 
seen through the vine-covered parts of the veranda, and the arches 
that mark the entrances to those walks. The height of the 
veranda floor will conceal one-third of the gravel space in front 
of the carriage-house from the eye of a person sitting in the 
dining-room, so that the vines that should wreath the end-open- 
ing of the veranda and the arches beyond, and their interior 
perspective, will be the principal objects in view. Between the 
row of dwarf pears and the side-street the arrangement of fruit 
trees is such that, seen from the front, the open lawn space 
surrounded by them will have quite as elegant an air as any 
other portion of the ground. The large fir tree at the end of the 
row of pear trees, and the arbor-vitae hedge between it and the 
arch, are intended to shut from view the tilled ground under the 
pear trees, and, together with the large pine tree nearer the house 
and its subjacent evergreen shrubs, to give a cheerful winter tone 
to this most used portion of the " back-yard." 

On the front portion of the lot, the trees indicated by letters 
on the plan are intended to be the following — the list being made 
for a climate like that near the city of New York. 

At d, the dwarf white-pine, F. strobus compada ; at e, e, a pair 
of Japan weeping sophoras ; at f, Parson's American arbor-vitag, 
Thuja occidentalis compada ; at g, g, the American and European 
Judas trees; at h, the Kolreideria paniculata; at i, the golden 
arbor-vitae ; at /, the Indian catalpa ; at k, the erect yew, Taxus 
ereda ; at /, the golden yew, Taxus aurea ; at m and ;z, Weigelas 
atnabilis and rosea; at o, the new weeping juniper, y. oblonga 
pendida; p and g, the weeping silver-fir and the weeping Norway 
spruce ; r, r, y, and z, z, an irregular belt of Siberian and other 
arbor-vitass ; s, s, weeping arbor-vitass, Thuja pendula ; at /, Sar- 
gent's hemlock ; at xi, a cherry tree (this in lieu of the cherry tree 
near the carriage-road gate, where, if the soil is congenial, we 



AND GROUNDS. 137 

would plant a pair of white-pines, one on each side of the gate- 
way, and not far from the posts). Under and between the trees h, 
and g, g, we would have a mass of rhododendrons ; or, if cheaper 
and more rapid growing materials for a group are preferred, the 
space may be filled with the variegated-leaved and wax-leaved 
privets and low-spreading spireas ; at v, w^ and x, in the next 
group, may be planted a choice of deutzias, honeysuckles, syringas, 
lilacs, and snow-balls — one of each^ Around the firs at/ and q, 
while they are small, a group of rhododendrons may be planted. 
The single small shrubs (or trees) opposite the front corner of the 
house, may be single well-grown bushes of Deutzia gracilis ; or 
the double flowering-plum, Prunus sinensis ; or the purple-leaved 
berberry ; or, if dwarf evergreens are preferred, the Irish and 
Swedish junipers, the Japan podocarpus, the tree-box (for clip- 
ping), the golden arbor-vitae, the golden yew, or the erect yew 
Taxus erecta, may all be rivals for these places. With constant 
care to keep them to their most slender form, those beautiful 
novelties, the weeping Norway spruce and silver firs, Abies excelsa 
inverta and Picea pectinata pendula, might grace this place better 
than anything else, though they may in time grow to great height. 

In the four inner angles of the two bay-windows, unless the ex- 
posure is to the south or southwest, we would plant rhododendrons 
of medium size, and fill the corner-beds with the same, graded 
down to the smallest varieties at the points. In the middle, 
between the bay-windows, two feet from the house, plant the 
Cephalotaxus fortunii masciila, and beyond it, to complete the 
group, three flowering deciduous shrubs graded in height as fol- 
lows : Six feet from the house the double-flowered pink deutzia ; 
two feet further out the Deutzia gracilis ; and two feet from that, 
on the point, the Daphne creorum. While these shrubs are small, 
use the ground between them for annuals and bulbous flowers. 

The group under the pine tree, and between it and the rear 
veranda steps, may be composed of two varieties of the tree-box 
near the steps — the common and the gold-edged leaved — Sargent's 
hemlock near the corner of the road, and the variegated-leaved 
privet, the purple berberr}'-, the variegated-leaved elder, and some 
kalmias to complete the bed. It is essential that there should be 



138 PLANS OF RESIDENCES 

a sufficient mass of evergreen verdure around the pine to shut the 
carriage-yard out of view from the front. 

The border near the right-hand fence, in front, is a hemlock, or 
an arbor-vitae screen ; with single specimens standing in front of it, 
of any of the choice varieties of common deciduous flowering 
shrubs. The plan fails to show the continuity of the evergreen 
screen along that side of the lot, and consequently some of the 
deciduous shrubs are too near the fence. The hedge back of the 
large flower-bed should also occupy double the width shown on 
the plan. The isolated, very small shrub-marks, represent slender 
junipers, or single brilliant-leaved plants. 

The few flower-beds that are shown on the lawn-side of the 
house can probably be filled by most ladies quite as tastefully as 
we could suggest. The continuous bed opposite the large window 
of the parlor will demand much skill in arrangement, if filled with 
annuals and perennials. But as these are likely to be changed 
every year, and as skill in such matters is the result of experience 
alone, it is needless to specify any one list of varieties, or order of 
arrangement for them. In case the occupants of the place prefer 
not to take care of a great bed of annuals, the entire bed may be 
devoted to the culture of roses ; and if these also involve too 
great an annual outlay of time and money, the ground may be 
left in lawn alone, and the border broken by a few fine shrubs 
upon it. 

The location of the parlor on this plan, with its principal 
window looking out on the shortest and most unsatisfactory view 
of the place, may be open to criticism. But it must be borne in 
mind that, on small lots, all the sides of a dwelling cannot have 
park-like exposures ; and the room that is least used, and least 
looked out of, is the one that should have the least interesting 
exposure. Parlors are principally used by day as reception rooms 
for casual callers, and in the evenings for sociable gatherings. In 
neither case are the guests, or the family, in the habit of paying 
much attention to out-of-door views. The furniture of a parlor is 
likely to be scrutinized more than that of other rooms, but the out- 
looks from it are of less importance than from those rooms which 
the family and their intimate friends frequent. 



Plate II 




3 2 I O 



10 20 30 '.0 50 



AND G B OUNB S. 139 



Plate II. 

A Corner Lot having one himdred and fifty feet front on one street, 
and two hundred and fifty feet on another. 

The figures at the bottom, and the letters on the side of the 
plate, represent spaces of ten feet each. The house is commodious, 
and its form the most simple and compact. The fronts (veranda 
lines) are sixty feet from the two streets respectively. A car- 
riage-house of suitable size occupies the rear corner of the lot, 
with a stable-yard behind it, and a passage-way for a cart around 
it. A straight walk to the front door, and a straight road to the 
carriage-house, are the most appropriate ways to each ; while 
the side-entrance walk, being prolonged to form the walks to the 
kitchen, the garden, and the stable, is laid down in a curved form 
to make it most convenient for these purposes. A covered trellis 
or arbor forms a continuation of the back veranda, and a dry pas- 
sage from the back hall to the out-buildings. This is designed for 
grape vines. The kitchen-garden occupies a space about 45 x 90 
feet, including the walks. The side fence or wall of the garden, if 
the exposure is to the east, south, or southwest, may be covered 
with grapes ; if to the north, with currants or raspberries. The 
main square of the kitchen-garden is drawn as if covered with 
small fruits. It may be so used, or filled with vegetables alone. 
A row of fine cherry trees are set forty feet from the side fence, 
starting ten feet from the carriage road, and twenty feet apart, and 
a sixth at the same distance from the first, on the line towards /. 
The plan indicates the locations for five pear trees, two peach trees, 
quinces, raspberries, etc. A greater nurAber may be planted in 
these spaces, but not without eventual injury to the appearance of 
the grounds. Peach trees are short-lived, and usually scrawny 
and ill-favored after the first five years of their growth. We would 
place them reluctantly in any part of grounds that may be seen in 
connection with other parts which are occupied by lawn-trees and 
flowers under high keeping. But a place for a few trees having 
been indicated, it may be as well to put out four or five there as 



140 PLANS OF RESIDENCES 

two. They will soon crowd each other too closely, but they pay 
for themselves quickly, and die early. There is no question of the 
great superiority of peaches grown to ripeness on one's own trees, 
over the half-ripe beauties of the markets ; and if the proprietor, to 
have their fruit, is willing to guard their health, he must also be 
willing to bear with their mature ugliness. 

We will now describe the plan with reference to those things 
which are planted for their decorative effect alone; premising, 
however, that walks, arbors, and fruit trees, are quite as much a 
part of the embellishments of the ground as evergreens or flower- 
ing shrubs : and are all placed with reference to their effect in 
connection with the latter. 

The plan supposes a slight downward slope of the ground from 
the house to the outside street boundaries ; the floor of the house 
being about four feet above the lawn adjoining it, and the latter 
unbroken by terraces or architectural forms of any kind. It is 
intended as a plain example of conformity to good taste in arrange- 
ment, rather than of any great art in gardening ; and combines as 
much length of open lawn, with as great a variety of trees, shrubs, 
and flowers as the size will admit of, without making it an expen- 
sive place to keep. 

The front walk is six feet wide. The gate posts are set back five 
feet from the street line. On a line with the posts, and from two 
to five feet from them, a pair of trees are to be planted to form an 
arch over the gate. If large trees like elms or pines are used, let 
them be planted at the greater distance ; if small trees like the 
sassafras, the nettle tree, or the red-bud or Judas tree {cercis) are 
employed, two feet from the posts will be enough. If a more arti- 
ficial form of verdant arch is desired, the proprietor can choose 
some of the trees and forms recommended in Chapter XIV. The 
American weeping elm or the Scotch elm, arch a gateway quickly and 
nobly, but will eventually be so large as to shade the whole of that 
part of the yard. A pair of sassafras trees, planted within two or 
three feet of the walk, would make one of the richest natural can- 
opies over the gate, but perhaps too much like a parasol, and not 
enclosing the way sufficiently on the sides ; but by planting beneath 
them, in the inner curve of the fence, the tree-box, which does well 



AND GROUNDS. 141 

in partial shade, and surrounding the trunks on the other sides with 
some low-growing shrubs that also do not suffer by shade, the arch 
may be made complete with a variety of surroundings. Just beyond, 
say fifteen feet from the gate, are two Irish junipers. The lawn 
between these and the steps is unbroken save by six beds for very 
low flowers, as shown on and near the dotted line ending at d, and 
between it and the veranda. The line d is intended to designate a 
strip upon and near which nothing should be planted ; so that a 
continuous open lawn-view may be had across this place to the 
places on the left of it, and from them back to the street on the 
right at d. The group above Figs. 1 1 and 1 2 may be composed of 
dwarf evergreens as follows : on the right, the dwarf white pine, 
P. strobus co77ipacta ; on the left, six feet from it, the golden arbor- 
vitas j in the middle above them, four feet from each, the yew, 
Taxiis ereda, the foliage of which is very dark ; and above, close 
to it, the golden yew, with leaves and twigs, as its name im- 
ports, prettily tinged with a golden hue ; next above, as shown by 
the speck on the plan, a plant of the dwarf fir, Abies gregoriana or 
the Andromeda floribunda^ either of which is exceedingly dwarf 
These would in time make a charming small evergreen group, 
but the dwarf trees which compose it grow slowly, so that it is 
necessary to keep the ground cultivated between the trees, and filled 
with bulbs, annuals, or perennials, until the evergreens are large 
enough to meet. Fig. 42 is a sketch made in the home-grounds 
of Mr. S. B. Parsons, at Flushing, L. I., showing an actual group 
somewhat similar to the one just suggested, 
composed of but four trees or shrubs, and 
three species. The low one in front is the 
Andromeda floribimda, the next the golden 
arbor-vitee, and the two behind it the Irish 
yew, Taxus baccata. An engraving can scarce- 
ly suggest the beautiful contrasts of colors 
and surfaces that these present. On either 
side of the veranda, and about twelve feet 
in a diagonal line from its corners, two large 
trees are indicated. The choice of these may safely be left to the 
reader. They should be of hardy, healthy, thrifty sorts. Horse- 




14:3 PLANS OF RESIDENCES 

chestnuts, maples, and elms are usually the most beautiful rivals 
for such places. Of horse-chestnuts we would recommend the 
common white for one side, and for the other side the double 
white flowering, which blooms several weeks later than the 
common sorts, and forms a taller tree in proportion to its 
breadth. The red-flowering horse-chestnuts are lower and 
rounder-headed trees, of slower growth, and would not pair so 
well with either of the sorts named, but would be very ap- 
propriate if used on both sides. Of a totally different character 
from any of these named, is the cut-leaved weeping birch, of 
rapid growth, elegant at all seasons, and also adapted to these 
positions. 

Opposite g, ten feet from the fence, is a Norway spruce, or, if 
the location and latitude are not too cold for it, the Nordmanns fir, 
Picea nordmaniana, which, in rich soils, has foliage of unusual 
beauty. Back of it towards the fence, fill in with hemlocks, arbor- 
vitaes, and yews, which grow to the ground and make an impene- 
trable mass of evergreen foliage. The side gateway is intended to 
be covered with a hemlock-arch of some of the forms suggested in 
Chapter XIV, which should connect with a continuous hedge, 
broken at m, n, by one or two pines, and varied from the pines to 
the carriage-way gate with a belt of 'many kinds of shrubs. At c, 
five feet from the fence, plant the Kolreuteria paniculata, and at b, 
near the fence, a bed of low-growing spireas. The group between 
2 and 4 may be composed of bush honeysuckles or of shrubby ever- 
greens. The small shrub nearly over 2 may be an Abies gregoria?ia, 
or a golden yew. The group in the left-hand corner may be com- 
posed of good old shrubs like lilacs, the purple berberry, weigelas, 
deutzias, and the purple-leaved filbert ; and for the two trees we 
would suggest the common catalpa for the place ten feet from the 
fence, and the Magnolia machrophylla for the one nearer the house. 
On the left, on the line of the middle of the front veranda, and 
twenty feet from the left side of the lot, a single specimen of the 
Bhotan pine, P. excelsa, or the two weeping firs, Abies inverta and 
Picea pedinata pendula ; just behind them some of the yews of the 
podocarpus or cephalotaxus tribe ; back of these, along the fence, a 
dense mass of hemlocks, with now and then some light-colored or 



AND GROUNDS. 143 

variegated-leaved small plants or shrubs on the border in front of 
them. The group beyond, projecting towards the house, is sup- 
posed to be composed of a variety of the best arbor-vitaes broken 
in color by some of the dark yews, — the little out-lying member of 
the group to be the Irish juniper. 

It is impracticable to trace through all the details. The reader 
must observe that the very small shrubs which are indicated 
in isolated positions on the lawn are intended for very com- 
pact evergreen or other shrubs, which take up but little room and 
are pleasing objects at all seasons of the year. At the four outer 
corners of the two bays may be planted, in pairs, specimens of the 
Irish and Swedish junipers, or some of the slender yews. At the 
corner of the open space in front of the carriage-house is a horse- 
block, to be shaded by a white pine. Nearly in front of the side 
entrance to the house is a rosary, for which may be substituted 
with good effect a Bhotan pine, with a cut-leaved weeping birch 
close behind it, if the proprietor does not wish to make and keep 
up the rose-bed with the expense and care which it annually re- 
quires. If the birch just named has been selected for the tree 
near the corners of the front veranda, ifneed not be repeated. 

These grounds, with no other plantings than are indicated, 
would doubtless look bare for some years. The places which the 
trees and shrubs are ultimately to cover, must be filled, in the in- 
tervening time, with annuals and bedding-plants which will make 
the best substitutes for them. We would decidedly advise 7tot to 
plant trees or large shrubs any nearer together than they ought to 
be when full grown, on the tempting plea that when they crowd 
each other some of them may be removed. Nine persons out of 
ten will not have the nerve to remove the surplusage so soon as it 
ought to be done, and when they do see the unsightly result of a 
crowded plantation, there will be one good excuse for not doing it, 
viz. : that trees which have grown up together have mis-shaped 
each other, so that when one is cut away those that remain show 
one-sided, and naked in parts. It is better to have patience while 
little trees slowly rise to the size we would have them ; and, while 
watching and waiting on them, let the ground they are eventually 
to cover be made bright with ephemeral flowers and shrubs. When 



144 FLANS OF RESIDENCES 

the trees approach maturity they will have developed beauties that 
crowded trees never show. 



Plate III. 

Crowded and Opeti Grounds Compared, on a Cottage Lot of fifty 

feet front. 

Here we have two lots 50 x 200 each. The plan and position 
for a small cottage-house, and the walks, are the same on both. 
The plan on the right is intended to show the common mode of 
cluttering the yard so full of good things that, like an overloaded 
table, it lessens the appetite it is intended to gratify. Let us pic- 
ture Mr. and Mrs. A., master and mistress of the house, unskillful 
but enthusiastic, engaged in their first plantings. The lot is a 
bare one. Fruit trees are the first necessities ; places are therefore 
found for four cherry, and five pear trees, without trespassing much 
on the "front yard," which is sacred, in true American homes, 
to floral and sylvan embellishments. It is to fill this ground 
that our proprietors are now to make choice of trees and shrubs. 
Mr. A. and wife are agreed that evergreens are indispensable, and 
that the balsam fir and the Norway spruce are the prettiest of ever- 
greens — for "everybody plants t/iemy Accordingly a couple of 
Norway spruces flank the gate at a little distance inside, and a pair 
of balsam firs (prettiest of trees as they emerge, fragrant, from the 
nurserymen's bundles) are placed conspicuously not far from the 
house-steps, on each side the main-walk. Mrs. A. suggests that 
the weeping-willow is the most graceful of all trees. Who can 
gainsay that ? Mr. A. does not, and in go two willows in the two 
front corners of the yard. Then there's the mountain ash with a 
" form as perfect as a top, and such showy clusters of red fruit," 
suggests Mrs. A., " and everybody plants them." Of course this 
tree is planted, one on each side of the yard, midway betAveen the 
walk and sides of the lot, in that open space above the willows. 
Then the walk is bordered from the gate towards the house 
with rose-bushes of all sorts, while lilacs, honeysuckles, spireas. 



Plate in 





10 ■ O 10 20 lO to soft. 
I I I I I I I I I I -I 1 



AND GROUNDS. 145 

syringas, and whatever else is known to be beautiful and easily ob- 
tained, are crowded along the side fences. Mrs. A. insists that a 
space shall be left on both sides of the main-walk for her flowers. 
Accordingly the beds are formed as shown on the plan, and planted 
with all the fine flowering bulbs and annuals that she can get 
plants or seeds of. There is still wanting a feature that some 
neighboring place has, viz. : one or more fanciful trellises — master- 
pieces of delicate carpentry, brilliant with white paint — upon which 
to train pillar roses. " There's just the place for them," says Mrs. 
A., "just in the middle of the yard, on each side," and there they 
are placed. 

We need not follow their planting further. The plan (on the 
right) shows how the place will be filled in two or three years. 
Each latest planting is put in the most convenient open space, and 
every spring brings some new candidate for a place. At the end 
of eight or ten years let us look in upon the ground and see the 
result. There should be a home-picture, with its encircling forie- 
ground, its open middle distance, its vine-clad cottage centre, 
smiling like a speaking portrait well framed. What will it be, if it 
has been planted and kept in this mode, still so common in 
suburban places ? A mass of agglomerated and tangled verdure. 
Pass along the street, and the lovely foliage of the two willows 
marks the spot, but beneath their overshadowing foliage the ever- 
greens and other trees have a feeble existence, and their spindling 
forms as they essay, with prim pertness, to stretch above the 
crowding shrubs and tangled grass around them to maintain their 
individuality, are met by a wet blanket of the willow's shade in 
summer, and her damp old clothes in the autumn. Straggling 
rose-bushes and overgrown shrubs elbow each other over the walk, 
and quarrel for space with the grass and old annuals that try in 
vain to get their share of room and light. As some English re- 
viewer says of the bedrooms of little gothic cottages—" somewhere 
around among the gables" — may be observed of all the pretty 
things that have with so much care been planted on this place — 
they are to be found somewhere among the bushes ; and behind 
all, as if the one great object of planting were to hide it out of 
sight, is a cottage. 

10 



146 PLANS OF RESIDENCES 

Happily such modes of planting are becoming rarer, but they 
are still quite too common. 

Now we do not mean to convey the idea that this little piece of 
ground might be made into a little park by judicious planting, or 
that all of what has been crowded into it might have been put in 
differently without crowding it. It is a small lot on which it is not 
possible to have a great variety of trees and shrubs without clutter- 
ing it, and losing all appearance of a lawn. Our plan on the left 
of the same plate is not designed to show the most artistic way of 
treating this small yard, but to show the most simple way of not 
overdoing by i';z/j-planting. The fruit trees are introduced in about 
the same places as in the other plan, but in front of them no over- 
shadowing trees are planted. At the sides, other yards are sup- 
posed to connect with this lot, and openings are left in the border 
shrubbery to avail of whatever pleasant lookouts may thus be 
obtained. All the middle portion of the yard is unbroken by 
shrubbery, which is arranged in groups near the corners, and 
around the house. The entrance gateway should be embellished 
with a verdant arch of hemlock ; the front corners of the lot may 
be marked by carefully grown specimens of arbor-vitses or slender 
junipers ; the small trees standing alone, about seven feet from the 
front, should be choice specimens, either evergreen or deciduous, 
similar in form, and as dissimilar as possible in color and foliage. 
Among evergreens we would name for these places the two weep- 
ing firs — Abies inverta pendula and Picea pedinata penditla — as the 
most appropriate of all ; or, for one side the yew Taxus strida or 
ereda, and on the other the yew Taxas aurea; or the weeping 
arbor-vitae for one side, and the weeping juniper for the other; or 
with dwarfs, of the dwarf pine F. strobus compada on one side, and 
the mugho pine on the other. With deciduous arboreous shrubs 
or small trees, the variety to choose from is very great. We will 
suggest for one side the weeping Japan sophora, grafted not more 
than seven feet high, and for the other the double scarlet haw- 
thorn, C. cocdnnea flore plena, cut to resemble the sophora in out- 
line ; or for one side the Indian catalpa (see Fig. 129), andfor the 
other a sassafras or a white dogw-ood, Comus florida, kept clipped 
down at the top so that it shall not exceed eight feet in height or 



Plate IV 







:^ 


^•ti^^M 


■ "''f 




4* 


if" 


;^ P ° ; 


&. 


--^ .-y' 


' v_^ 




50 ft. 10 5 9 



AND GROUNDS. 147 

breadth of top. In selecting some deciduous miniature trees for 
these places we would choose those that have low, parasol forms, 
and clean, tree-like, but very short stems. The common orange 
quince tree, if planted in a deep moist soil, grown thriftily, and 
treated with the same attention that we would bestow on a valuable 
exotic, is one of the most beautiful of very low spreading-topped 
shrubby trees, and well adapted to the places under consideration. 
The kilmarnock willow, though it has neither the beauty of blossom, 
leaf, or fruit, that distinguish a well-grown quince tree, is certainly 
a sort of model of formal grace and symmetry, and might be used 
on one side and balanced on the other with a low-grown ever- 
flowering weeping cherry, Cerasus semperfioreus. Or luxuriantly 
grown single bushes of the common fragrant syringa, tartarian 
bush honeysuckle, rose weigela, or lilac rothmagensis, will be ap- 
propriate for the same place. 

The plan in general is too simple to require explanation, and 
is introduced to call attention to the superior beauty of simplicity, 
compared with complexity of planting, on small places. 



Plate IV, A and B. 

Designs for a Lawn on a Lot of fifty feet front with considerable 

depth. 

This design has already been alluded to in Chapter XI, on 
Arrangement in Planting, in illustrating the application of Rule I 
to small places. The lot has a front of fifty feet, and an in- 
definite extension in the rear. The plan is designed to show 
the pretty space of lawn that can be kept on a quite small lot, 
provided the latter has depth enough, by placing the house well 
back. The lot is supposed to be between side properties which 
it is impracticable to connect with, and therefore isolated by 
close fences and border shrubbery from them. The distance from 
the street to the bay-windows is eighty feet. The compact house 
plan is adapted to the position by having its entrance on the side, 
so that the best window-views possible under the circumstances 



148 PLANS OF RESIDENCES 

will be secured from the bays of the two principal rooms. The 
walk, as we have previously observed, is made near one side, to 
leave all the central portion of the lot in open lawn. It is not 
possible to keep this openness of expression, and at the same time 
have large trees on the lot. They must be dispensed with j and in 
stocking the borders to make a rich environment of verdure for the 
lawn, the choice must be exclusively among small trees and shrubs. 
Let us begin at the gate. Here we would set out to have a hem- 
lock arch; — though the trees as shown on the plan erroneously 
symbolize deciduous trees. At the opposite front corner we 
would plant the two slender weeping firs, Abies excelsa inverta 
and Picea p. pendula. But as their growth is slow compared 
with that of many fine deciduous shrubs, a mass of the latter 
may be planted near the firs, to fill that corner with foliage until 
the latter are from twelve to twenty years old, when the weeping 
firs will be large enough to fill it beautifully without support. 
The border on the left should be made up of evergreen shrubs 
or trees, as varied in foliage as possible, and of those sorts which 
do not exceed six or seven feet in height and breadth. The iso- 
lated small trees or shrubs which stand out from this, border are 
designed to be of deciduous sorts, the most charming for their 
forms, foliage, or flowers ; the largest of which should not, within 
ten years, exceed ten feet in breadth. These, and the dwarf shrubs 
which flank them, can be selected from the lists to be found in the 
Appendix. As some of those which are in time the most interest- 
ing are of exceedingly slow growth, bedding plants and annuals 
which will preserve the same form for the groups by their propor- 
tioned sizes may be substituted. But there is no question of the 
superior beauty, in the end, of the place which is largely composed 
of trees and shrubs that make it charming in winter and early spring 
as well as in summer. The quick and brilliant effects that may 
be produced with bedding-plants can, however, be combined some- 
what with more permanent plantings, if the planter will be watch- 
ful not to let his vigorous but ephemeral summer-plants smother the 
slower growing dwarfs. The latter will not long survive being thus 
deprived of sun and air in summer, and then left bare in the bleak 
winter, while their summer companions which lorded over them 



AND GROUNDS. 149 

have been carefully removed to the cellar or the green-house. 
A pine tree is shown on the left near the house. This is ex- 
ceptionally large. It is intended for a white pine, which grows 
rapidly in breadth as well as height, and might soon cover half the 
width of the lot with its branches. But it is readily "drawn up," 
as foresters say, — that is, it is easily reconciled to the loss of its 
lower limbs, and sends its vigor to the upper ones ; so that it 
naturally becomes an over-arching tree. In time it will over-top, 
and form an evergreen frame for that side of the house, while the 
lawn under it will be unbroken. The small round shrubs near the 
outside corners of the bay-windows may be, one, a golden arbor- 
vitas, and the other the golden yew, both rather dwarf evergreens, 
of pleasing form, and warm-toned verdure. Between the bay- 
windows, and near the house, is a suitable place for an elegant 
rose-pillar or trellis, and a bed of roses. Directly in front of it, 
and sixteen feet from the house, is a good position for a fine vase, 
or a basket in a bed of flowers, as shown on the plan. The pair 
of trees nearly in the middle of the front, near the street, we would 
have the weeping Japan sophora, on a line with the middle of the 
house, and not more than four feet apart. The main walk is repre- 
sented on the plan by two modes of planting; the one, marked A, 
characterized by an alternation of shrubs and bedding-plants on 
the right, and beds of flowers on the left ; the other, marked B, by 
a symmetric disposition of three groups of trees crossing and 
arching over the walk, and a belt of shrubs against the fence. 

For the first, or shrub and flower-border plan, the following 
selection of shrubs is recommended on the fence-border. All the 
way from the street, to opposite the house, we would plant the 
Irish and English ivy close to the bottom of the fence, and would 
endeavor to make it cover the latter completely. Supposing the 
fence not to be more than four or five feet high, these ivies can 
generally be made to effect this, and although the growth near the 
top may often be winter-killed, the plants, if taken care of, will 
finally make a rich wall of verdure. If there is no probability of 
eventually joining, by openings on that side, with neighbors' im- 
provements, it will be a great addition to the beauty of this 
border to have the fence a well-made stone wall, upon which the 



150 FLANS OF BE SID E NC E S 

ivy is always most beautiful. From the hemlock arch to a point 
twenty feet from the fence, plant with tree-box, mahonias, and 
rhododendrons, set two and a half feet from the fence ; then a 
concave bed ten feet long is devoted to bulbous flowering-plants 
and annuals ; the next ten feet to be occupied by the pink and the 
red-flowered tree honeysuckles six feet apart, with the fragrant 
jasmine between them ; the next ten feet in flowers as before ; the 
next to be occupied by the Deutzia crenata alba and the Deiitzia 
crenata rubra flore plena, six feet apart, with the Deutzia gracilis 
between them ; the next, flowers ; and the last group of shrubs to 
be the Lilac rothmagensis and the Weigela rosea six feet apart, 
with the Spirea calosa alba between and the golden yew, Taxus 
aurea, beyond ; — closing the planting on that side. On the veranda- 
posts five different vines may be trained ; on the fence in front of 
them nothing better can be done than to cover it with Irish ivy, or 
such low-growing annual vines, on cords or wires, as will make the 
best wall of leaves and flowers during the summer, and which can 
be readily cleared away before winter. Beyond the veranda, on 
the left, is a place for a group of shrubs of anything that the lady 
of the house fancies. The evergreen at the end of the narrow 
walk around the veranda should be some tall and handsome tree. 
If the soil is sandy, the white-pine kept well trimmed will make a 
fine mass of evergreen verdure the most quickly. In a climate not 
more rigorous than that of Philadelphia, the Lawson cypress, C. 
lawsoniana, is a good tree for the place ; further north, the 
pyramidal spruce, Abies excelsa pyramidata, a slender, vigorous, and 
peculiar variety of the Norway spruce, will answer well ; and so 
will a Bartlett or Seckel pear tree, or any good cherry tree. The 
evergreen, however, makes the best back-ground setting for the 
house. By planting an evergi-een on each side the walk, at that 
point, an arch may eventually be cut under them to form a vista 
from the veranda into the garden. This purpose may be most 
quickly effected with white-pines or hemlocks. 

The embellishment of the walk-border by the other mode, as 
shown on the plan B, may be done as follows : the border of ivy 
along the fence or wall, and the principal shrubs for twenty feet 
next the front, may be the same as on the first plan ; but all the 



AND GROUNDS. 151 

flower-beds are to be omitted. Twenty-three feet from the street, 
and two feet from the walk on the right, plant an American Judas 
tree, Cercis canadensis; four feet further, on the same side, the 
European Judas tree, Cercis siliquastrum ; opposite to them, on the 
left side of the walk, a clean stemmed white-flowering dogwood, 
Corjius florida. Sixteen feet from the upper Judas tree, plant a pair 
of sassafras trees four feet apart in the same relative positions as 
the Judas trees in the first group ; opposite to them, on the left of 
the walk, the Scamston weeping-elm, grafted eight feet high on a 
common elm stock. The next group, sixteen feet further on, is 
made with a pair of Kolreuteria paniculate on the right, and a 
narrow group of low choice shrubs on the left of the walk. Very 
dwarf evergreens, or deciduous shrubs, may be planted to the left 
of each of these groups, as indicated on the plan, or those places 
may be filled with single plants of rich and abundant foliage, like 
the more robust geraniums, the Colleus verschafelti, cannas, little 
circles of salvias, etc., etc. 

It is intended that the groups of low-growing trees which border 
this walk shall form flat arches over head, not more than eight feet 
over the walk ; and the trees must be reared and pruned to effect 
this object. The Judas trees and the dogwood naturally spread 
quite low. The study with them will be, how to draw them up so 
that they will not be in the way over head. The sassafras, though 
a flat-topped tree, sometimes gets too high before beginning to 
spread. If it keeps a strong centre-stem it should be topped at 
eight feet high to hasten its spreading. The Kolreuterias are rather 
too large for their place, but are low-spreading trees of great deli- 
cacy of foliage and warmth of color ; and even if they finally 
extend their branches far towards the bay-windows, the view under 
them will be the more pleasing. 



152 PLANS OF BE SIBENCE S 



Plates V and VI. 

Designs for Village Lots 60 x xt^ofeet: one an In- Lot, and the other 

a Corner Lot. 

These designs are very simple and inexpensive in their 
character, and have been partially described in Chapter XI. The 
house-plan is the same in both ; not compact, but rather stretched 
along the side of the lot farthest from the street so as to 
leave a fair space on the other side, upon which the best rooms 
and the verandas (which may be considered the pleasantest sum- 
mer rooms of a house) are located. The house-fronts are each 
forty feet from the main street. Both ground-plans are supposed 
to open into other yards adjoining, on a line from ten to twent}'- 
five feet from the street ; on that line they are, therefore, left un- 
planted with anything that will obstruct views across the lawn. 
On Plate V the walks are made in right lines ; while, on Plate VI, 
the entrance being at the corner, convenience dictates curved lines 
as the most desirable. If, on the latter, the gateway were in the 
same place as in the former, the straight-line walk would be pre- 
ferable, as there would be no object in making it otherwise. 

Plate V. — The front gate is to be arched over in some of 
the modes suggested in Chapter XIV, and on the left a dense 
screen to the corner is to be made with evergreen shrubs or 
shrubby trees. Twenty feet from the front, and five feet from 
the left side, a tree of medium size is represented. It may be 
any one of the following : a Magnolia machrophylla, catalpa, 
double white or red-flowering horse-chestnut, bird cherry {Prunus 
padus), a cut-leaved weeping birch, purple-beech, Kolreuteria, Vir- 
gilia, red-twigged linden, grape-leaved linden, scarlet maple, 
purple-leaved maple, Salisbiiria or ginkgo tree (if cut back at the 
top), or a sassafras. Any handsome tree will do which branches 
low, but still high enough to allow a person to walk under its 
branches after it has been planted five or six years, and which 
does not quickly become a great tree. Five feet from the fence, 



Plate \: 








10 I'O 



30 40 



AND GROUNDS. 153 

facing the main entrance steps, we would plant the pendulous 
. Norway spruce, Abies excelsa inverta ; along the fence towards the 
front, a dense mass of low-growing evergreens ; along the fence on 
the other side of the spruce (opposite the bay-window), a hemlock 
hedge, merging as it recedes from the front to the grape-trellis into a 
belt of evergreens. The groups of shrubs indicated in many places 
against the house, must be of the best species, which grow from 
two to seven feet in height ; and ought to embrace in each group 
one or more shrubs with fragrant flowers, so that there shall be no 
summer month when the windows will not be perfumed from them. 
It is becoming a fashion to decry the planting of shrubs in contact 
with dwelling houses. This fashion is a part of an extreme 
reaction that possesses the public mind against the old and un- 
healthy mode of embowering houses so completely under trees, 
and packing yards so densely with shrubs, that many homes were 
made dark and damp enough to induce consumption and other 
diseases; and physicians have been obliged to protest against 
their injurious effects on the health of the inmates. But low- 
growing shrubs planted against the basement-walls of suburban 
houses, and rising only a few feet higher than the first floor, are 
not open to any such objections. A house that is nested in shrubs 
which seem to spring out of its nooks and corners with some- 
thing of the freedom that characterizes similar vegetation spring- 
ing naturally along stone walls and fences, seems to express the 
mutual recognition and dependence of nature and art ; the 
shrubs loving the warmth of the house-walls, and the house 
glad to be made more charming in the setting of their ver- 
dure and blossoms. Many pleasing shrubs will do well where 
their roots can feel the warmth that foundation-walls retain in 
winter, which will not flourish in open exposed ground. Some will 
do well in shady nooks and northern exposures which cannot be 
grown in sunny projections ; others need all the sun of the latter 
exposures, and are grateful in addition for all the reflected heat 
from the house-walls. The foundations (provided of course that 
they are of a deep and substantial character) thus become protect- 
ing walls that offer to the skillful planter many studies in the 
selection and arrangement of small shrubs. No well-constructed 



154 PLANS OF RESIDENCES 

house will be dampened, or have the sunlight excluded from its 
windows, by such shrubs as we would recommend for planting in 
the groups indicated against the houses in Plates V and VI. Small 
as they are, each one of these little places for shrubs are studies. 
Whether to plant a single robust shrub in each place, which will 
spread to fill it, or to form a collection of lilliputian shrubs around 
some taller one, is for the planter to decide. We cannot here in- 
dicate, in detail, the plantings for all these places. It will be ob- 
served that the right-hand front corner of the lot is filled with 
shrubs, supposed to be but a part of a group, the other part of 
which is on the lot of the adjoining neighbor. This may be com- 
posed of large shrubs, such as altheas, deutzias, lilacs, etc., for 
the interior, and weigelas, bush honeysuckles, Gordon's currants, 
berberries, and low spireas of graceful growth for the outside. The 
tree ten feet from the right-hand corner should be one of the 
smallest class. The weeping Japan sophora grafted not more than 
six feet high, the ever-flowering weeping cherry, the new weeping 
thorn, the double scarlet thorn {Coccinnea fiore plejid) will make 
pretty trees for such a place. If something to produce a quick, 
luxuriant growth is preferred, the Judas tree, Cercis canadetisis, or 
the Scamston weeping-elm, grafted on another stock seven or 
eight feet high, will do ; though the latter will eventually become a 
wide-spreading tree too large for the place. 

The isolated small tree, or large shrub, about seven feet from 
the fence near the middle of the front, may be an Andromeda 
arborea, or the Indian catalpa (the hardiness of which is not fully 
tested north of Philadelphia), the purple-fringe (grown low as a 
tree), the tree honeysuckle, Lonicera grandiflora, grown low on a 
single stem, the Weigela amabilis, also in tree-form ; Josikia or 
chionanthus-leaved lilac, the dwarf weeping cherry (a very slow 
grower), the Chionanthiis virginica (a little tender north of Phila- 
delphia), the rose acacia grown over an iron frame, or any out- 
arching, low, small tree, weeping or otherwise, the foliage of which 
is pleasing throughout the season. Or, if a single evergreen is 
preferred, any one of the following will do : the dwarf white-pine, 
P. strobus compada^ the golden yew, Taxus aurea, the weeping 
- silver-fir, Picea pectinata pendula, the golden arbor-vitae, or the 



AND GROUNDS. 155 

weeping arbor-vitae. None of these will grow to greater size than 
the place requires, but they grow slowly. A pretty effect may be 
produced here by planting the erect yew, Taxiis erecta, where the 
centre of the tree is indicated on the plan, with a golden arbor- 
vitae in front and a golden yew behind it. The erect yew is taller 
than the others, and very dark, so that if the three are planted not 
more than one or two feet apart, they will grow into a beautiful 
compact mass made up of three quite distinct tones of foliage. Or 
another pretty substitute for the one small tree, as shown on the 
plan, may be made by using the excessively slender Irish juniper for 
a centre i, and grouping dose around it the golden arbor-vitee 2, the 
Podocarpus (or Taxus) japonica 3, the dwarf silver-fir, Picea coni- 
pacta, 6, the pigmy spruce, Abies excelsa pygmcea, 4, the dwarf 
hemlock, Abies canadensis parsom, 5, and the creeping euonymus, 
jfaponicus radicans marginatus. This will in time make an irregu- 
lar pyramid composed of an interesting variety of foliage and 
color, and easily protected in winter, if the plants are of doubtful 
hardiness or vigor. 

The vase and flower-beds in front of the bay-window need no 
explanation. All the flower-beds shown on this plan, except the 
one opposite the back-porch, should be filled only with flowering- 
plants of the lowest growth : the bed excepted, and the place 
behind it, shown as shrubbery, may be occupied by taller plants, 
which are showy in leaves or flowers : but we think the effect will 
be more constantly pleasing if the latter is filled with evergreen 
shrubs from two to seven feet in height, mostly rhododendrons. 

At the front end of the bed of roses, on the right, we would 
plant the Nordmans ^r, Picea Nbrdmaniana, an evergreen tree of 
superior foliage, and believed hardy in most parts of the country. 
It eventually becomes a large tree, but will bear trimming when it 
begins to encroach too much upon the lawn. 

The hemlock screen represented opposite the bath-room win- 
dow should be thrown back to the end of the wash-room if the 
owner prefers to have that strip of ground in lawn, rather than 
under culture. We ask the reader to excuse us for having placed 
it where it is, for the space between the house and the currant- 
bushes allows of a pretty strip of lawn six feet wide, from which 



156 PLANS OF RESIDENCES 

narrow beds may be cut adjoining the foundation-walls, for beds of 
low or slender annuals, which will not sprawl too far away from 
the house. The space will certainly be more profitable to the eye 
in this way than it can be in fruits and vegetables. 

Plate VI. — This plan is so similar to the preceding, and both 
are of so simple a character, that the intelligent reader will learn by 
an examination of the plate what manner of planting is intended. 
This plate differs principally from Plate V in having four pine trees 
of conspicuous size on the street margin of the lot. This pre- 
supposes a well-drained sandy soil, for without a congenial soil 
the pines will not develop great beauty. Supposing this condition 
to be satisfied, evergreens may be made a specialty of this place, 
and used as follows : Close by the left-hand gate-post (entering 
from the street), plant a bunch of the common border-box ; a foot 
from it, and midway between the walk and side fence, a plant of 
the broad-leaved tree-box ; a foot further, on the same mid-line, 
a plant of the gold or silver striped-leaved tree-box; then fill 
in with hemlocks a foot apart, and a foot from the fence, as 
far as the group is designated. Four feet from the same gate- 
post, and two feet from the walk, plant a Podocarpus japonica ; 
eight feet from the gate, and three from the walk, the Cephalo- 
taxus fortunii mascula ; four feet beyond, and four feet from the 
walk, the golden arbor-vitae. Between the right-hand gate-post and 
the pine tree, fill next to the gate with the common English ivy, to 
trail on the ground and form a bush ; next, midway between the 
fence and walk, and four feet from the post, the golden yew {Taxus 
baccata aurea) ; next, same distance from the walk, Sargent's 
hemlock {A. canadensis inverta) ; and between the pine and the 
fence, fill in with mahonias {aqicifolium and japonicimi). The 
pine here alluded to, to be the common white pine. The 
dwarf trees shown on the plan, twenty feet from the gate, are 
the Abies gregoriana on one side the walk, and on the other 
the Ficea hudsonica, or the Picea pectinata compada. These, and 
the gateway groups, form an entrance through evergreens alone. 
In climates more severe than that of New York city, substi- 
- tute the Piniis strobus compada for the Cephalotaxus fortunii 



s.^ 



PJaieYI 



I* 



^ y T '^ - 

I) I \ I n / \ rl / f/ 



fWf^^VS^l 



>> 






■^f 







AI^D GROUNDS. 157 

masciila. The pine tree in the right-hand corner may be an 
Austrian, taking care to select one of short dense growth. 
Between it and the corner fill in with a mass of assorted rhodo- 
dendrons, or with such shrubs as bush honeysuckles, deutzias of 
the smaller sorts, the common syringa, purple berberr}', variegated 
elder, etc. The single tree in the middle of the front may be thq 
weeping Japan sophora, the Judas tree {Cercis canadensis), or a 
neatly grown specimen of the white-flowering dogwood {Cor7ius 
florida). The two small trees marked on the plan lo feet in 
front of each front corner of the house should be the two slender 
weeping firs, the Abies excelsa inverta and the Picea pectinata pen- 
dula, which will in time form a graceful flanking for the bay- 
window, and point the two groups of fragrant-blossomed deciduous 
shrubs shown on each side of it. The shrubbery shown between 
the walk and the main side veranda and its column vines should be 
entirely composed of bedding plants of rich foliage and successive 
bloom, which can be cleared away late in autumn. The remainder 
of the plan is so like that for Plate V, that no further designation 
of trees and shrubs need be made. A planter who is familiar with 
the dimensions and qualities of trees and shrubs may make a 
different choice, perhaps improve on those here named, and give 
another character to the place. The gateway entrance, for in- 
stance, may be bordered by low-growing umbelliferous trees like 
the Judas tree, the weeping sophora, the Scamston elm, the sassa- 
fras, or the Kolreutei'ia pajiiculata, of which any two would soon 
grow to form a natural arch. The use of any of these trees will 
not prevent the planting, under them, of those small evergreens 
like the ivy, the box-wood, and some others which flourish in par- 
tial shade. Or, some of the trees mentioned in Chapter XIV for 
artificial arches, may be employed in the same place instead of the 
groups of low evergreen shrubs, or the trees just named. The 
pine trees which are shown on the plan (if, as before remarked, 
the soil is congenial to them), in connection with the other ever- 
greens, in the course of ten years would give an evergreen character 
to the outer limits of the lot without trespassing too much on the 
lawn space ; and although a repetition of the same species of tree 
is not usually desirable on a small lot, the white pine unites so 



158 PLANS OF RE SIB ENCE S 

many more qualities which suit it for the places indicated, than 
any other evergreen, that we would make its use a specialty of the 
plan. The exquisite Bhotan pine is still of doubtful longevity 
with us ; that is to say, it occasionally dies out after eight or ten 
years of healthy growth, just when its fountain-like tufts of droop- 
ing foliage have become so conspicuously beautiful as to endear it 
greatly to the owner. The same may be said of the long-leaved 
Pyrrenean pine. Neither the Austrian or the Scotch pines drop 
their lower limbs with so little injury to their symmetry as the 
white pine, nor have either of them so line a texture of foliage or 
wood when seen near by. On small lots, ground-room cannot 
well be afforded for that extension of the branches of evergreens 
upon a lawn, which constitutes one of their greatest beauties where 
there is space enough around to allow them to be seen to advan- 
tage. Therefore trees which develop their beauty overhead, and 
permit the lawn to be used and seen under their boughs, are more 
desirable. 

Plate VII. 

A long, narrow House, with Front near the Street, on an In-Lot sixty 
feet wide, and of considerable depth. 

We have here an inside lot of sixty feet front, occupied to the 
depth of one hundred and thirty feet by the house, the walks and 
the ground embellishments. The kitchen-garden is back of the 
grape trellis, which should be of an ornamental character. The 
house is stretched out to correspond with the form of the lot, which 
is supposed tp have no desirable ground connections with the adjoin- 
ing lots, yet not so disagreeably surrounded as to make it neces- 
sary to shut out by trees and shrubs the out-look over the fences 
from the side-windows of the bay. The style of planting here 
shown is such as would suit only a person or family of decided 
taste for flowers, and the choicest selections of small shrubs. In 
the rear left-hand corner is room enough for two cherry trees, 
under which the lawn forms a sufficient drying-yard, and a con- 
venient currant-border utilizes a space next the fence. Besides 



Sitchen- harden 




A NB GB UN I) S. 159 

the cherries, no large trees are to be planted except hemlocks 
(marked H), which are gracefully shrubby in their early growth, 
and can be so easily kept within proper bounds by pruning, that 
they are introduced to form an evergreen flanking for the rear of 
the house, and back-ground for the narrow strips of lawn on either 
side of it. In time they will overarch the walk, and under their 
dark shadows the glimpse of the bit of lawn beyond, with its bright 
flowers, will be brought into pretty relief. Our engraver has been 
somewhat unfortunate in the extreme rigidity of outline given to all 
the trees and shrubs shown on this plan, yet precision and formal- 
ity are peculiarities which the narrow limits of the lot render 
necessary, and the completeness with which this specialty is 
carried out will constitute its merit. Nearly all the shrub and tree 
embellishment is with small evergreens, flowers of annuals, and 
bedding plants. Flowers are always relieved with good effect 
when seen against a back-ground of evergreens. It will be 
observed that the close side-fences are, much of their length, 
uncovered by shrubbery. They must, therefore, be very neatly, 
even elegantly made, if the proprietor can afford it. They then be- 
come a suitable backing for the flowers that may be made to form 
a sloping bank of bloom against them. By finishing the inside of 
the fence en espalier, it may be covered all over with delicate 
summer vines whose roots, growing under it, will interfere little with 
planting and transplanting seeds, roots, and bulbs in front of 
them. In naming the trees intended for this plan, it must not be 
supposed that other selections equally good, or better, may not be 
made by a good gardener. The following is suggested as one of 
many that will be appropriate to the place : 

A, A. Two hemlocks planted two feet from the fence and from the 

walk to form an arch over the gate when large enough, as 
shown in Chapter XIV. 

B. Parson's dwarf hemlock two feet from the walk and six feet 

from the fence. 

C, C, C, C. Irish junipers two feet from the walk. 

D. Space between juniper and corner post on the right may be 

filled with mahonias, English ivy, and azalias that love shade. 



160 PLANS OF RESIDENCES 

E (next to the fence). Dwarf weeping juniper, y. oblonga pendula. 

E (in the centre of front group). The pendulous Norway spruce, 
Abies excelsa inverta, the central stem of which must be kept 
erect ■ by tying to a stake until it is from six to eight feet 
high. 

F, F. One, the dwarf Norway spruce, Abies gregoriana, and the 
other the dwarf silver-fir, Picea pedinata compada. 

G (in the front group). Golden arbor-vitae. 

G (opposite bow-window of living-room). A bed of assorted 
geraniums. 

G (opposite dining-room). A single plant of Colleus verschafelti. 

H, H, H. Hemlocks ; for the left-hand front corner use Sargent's 
hemlock, Abies canadensis inverta ; — its main stem to be kept 
tied to a stake until it has a firm growth six feet high. 

I, I, I (on the left side of walk). Dwarf-box for clipping. 

I (on right side of walk). The weeping arbor-vitae and the dwarf 
weeping juniper, y. oblonga pendida. 

J. Podocarpus japonica, if protected in winter. 

K. Parson's arbor-vitae. Thuja ocddentalis C07??pada, two feet from 
the fence. Between K and L plant a golden arbor-vitae. 

L. The pendulous silver-fir, Picea pedinata pendida, four feet from 
the fence. Directly back of it, midway between it and the 
fence, the erect yew, Taxiis erecta, whose deep green foliage 
will contrast well with the golden arbor-vitaes near it, and as 
its hardiness in all localities is not so well proved as that of 
the other trees near it, its placement back of them, and near 
to the fence, will serve to insure its safety from cold. 

M. Irish and Swedish junipers near the fence. 

N. The dwarf white-pine, P. strobus co?jipacta, four feet from the 
fence ; and behind, on each side, small rhododendrons. Four 
feet above the pine, near the fence, plant a common hem- 
lock, and when it is large enough to form a back-ground for 
the dwarf pine — say from eight to ten feet high — keep it well 
clipped back to prevent it from spreading over the dwarfs, and 
taking up too much of the lawn. 

O, O. Round beds for verbenas or other creeping flowers of con- 
stant brilliancy. 



AND GROUNDS. 161 

P. Bed for favorite fragrant annuals or low shrubs. 

Q (by the side of the kitchen). Bed for flowering-vines to train on 
the house, or, if the exposure be southerly, or southeasterly, 
some good variety of grape-vine. Whichever side of the rear 
part of the house has the proper exposure to ripen grapes 
well, cannot be more pleasingly covered than with neatly 
kept grape-vines ; which should not be fastened directly to 
the house, but on horizontal slats from six inches to a foot 
from the house; and these should be so strongly put up 
that they may be used instead of a ladder to stand upon to 
trim the vines and gather the fruit. 

R. Rhododendrons. 

S. Bed of cannas, or assorted smaller plants with brilliant leaves 
of various colors. 

T, U, V, X, Z. A bed of rhododendrons. 

W, W, W. May be common deciduous shrubs of any favorite full- 
foliaged sort. 

Y. Rhododendrons and azalias. 

Opposite the corner of the veranda where fuschias are indi- 
cated, the space should be filled between the Irish juniper and 
the fence with the golden arbor-vitae and the Podocarpiis japonica, 
planted side by side. 

The foregoing list for planting is made on the assumption that 
the owner is, or desires to be, an amateur in the choicest varieties 
of small evergreens, as well as in flowers, and willing to watch 
with patience their slow development ; for there is no doubt that 
with deciduous shrubs a showy growth of considerable beauty can 
be secured in much less time. Yet the type of embellishment 
made with such a collection of evergreens as have been named for 
this place, is so much rarer, and has so greatly the advantage in 
its autumn, winter, and spring beauty, that we would have little 
hesitation in adopting it. 

For the benefit, however, of those who wish a quicker display 
of verdure in return for their expense and labor in planting, we 
subjoin an essentially different list of trees and shrubs for the 
same plan, viz. : 



162 PLANS OF RESIDENCES 

A, A. Two Scamston elms (planted two feet from fence and walk) 

grafted on straight stocks eight feet from the ground, to form 
a tabular topped arch over the gateway, by interweaving the 
side branches which are nearest to each other. These grow 
so rapidly that all the space within ten feet from the centre 
of the gate will in six years be deeply shaded by them, so 
that only those plants which are known to flourish in deep 
shade should be planted near the gate. Among these the 
English ivy may occupy the same place in the corner as 
before. 

B. May be the Cephalotaxus fortunii mascula, or purple magnolia. 

C, C (nearest the gate). Daphne cneorum. C, C (near the ve- 

randa). Should be Irish juniper as in the first plan, and the 
space marked fuschias to be filled as before recommended ; 
C on left-hand front of lot to be an Irish or Swedish 
juniper. 

D. Box-wood, spurge laurel, hypericum, purple magnolia, or 
rhododendrons. 

E (middle group). Andromeda arborea, or, south of Philadelphia, 
the Indian catalpa, C. himalayensis. 

F, F. Spirea reevesii flore plena and Spirea fortunii alba. G (of 
same group). Spirea Van Hoictti. In the spaces between G 
and F the Deiitzia gracilis and the Andromeda floribunda may 
be planted within two feet of the stem of the Andromeda 
arborea. 

H (in left-hand corner). Two deutzias, the white and red, D. 
crenata alba and D. crenata rubra flore plena, planted side by 
side. The other H's to be hemlocks as in the other plan. 

I, I, I, I. Tree-box on left of walk, Siberian arbor-vitae on the 
right. 

J. Deiitzia gracilis. 

K. Purple berberry two feet from fence. Above it, the same dis- 
tance from the fence, the variegated-leaved althea. 

L. Common red Tartarian honeysuckle, four feet from fence. 
Behind it, next to the fence, the spurge laurel. Daphne 
laureola. 

M. Two Swedish junipers one foot from fence. 



AND GROUNDS. 163 

N. Weigela rosea three feet from fence. Close to fence, on each 
side of it, the English ivy. 

O. Beds for creeping flowers as in previous plan. 

P. Bed for annuals or low shrubs. 

Q. Same as in former list. 

R. A bed of salvias, to fill in between the hemlocks. 

S. Cannas, or some lower bedding annuals. 

T. The lilac, Rothmagensis rubra. 

U. Gordon's flowering currant. 

V, Two dwarf rhododendrons, roseum ekgans and album can- 
didissima, and behind them towards the grape trellis and next 
the fence, the taller rhododendrons, grandiflorum and album 
elegans. These will fill as near to the trellis as anything 
should be planted. 

X. Rhododendrons, grandiflorum and candidissima planted to- 
gether. 

Shrubs shown at the house-corners should be selected from 
those whose branches droop toward the ground, well covered with 
foliage, and whose flowers are fragrant ; such as the common 
syringa, bush honeysuckles, jasmines, wild roses, purple magnolia, 
etc., etc. ; the beauty and abundance of the foliage throughout the 
season being of more importance than the blossoms. But there 
are shrubs which combine nearly every merit of foliage, bloom, 
and fragrance, and these are often the common sorts best known. 

It is not practicable to name in detail everything which may be 
planted on a lot of this size, and the two lists just given will form a 
ground-work into which may be interwoven a great variety of quite 
small shrubs without breaking the arrangement intended. 

In whatever way this place is planted, the area in lawn is so 
narrow that it can only be made to look well by the nicest 
keeping. 



164 PLANS OF RESIDENCES 



Plate VIII. 
4 

A simple Plan for a Corner Lot one hundred by one hundred and 
sevejity feet, with Stable and Carriage-house accommodations. 

By referring to Plates IX and XII, and comparing them with 
the one nov/ under consideration, it will be seen that there is a 
similarity in the forms and sizes of the lots and the house-plans. 
A comparison of their differences will be interesting. Plates VIII 
and IX represent corner lots loo x 170 feet, having stable and 
carriage-house accommodations, while Plate XII is an in-lot 
100 X 160 feet, without those luxuries, but with convenience for 
keeping a cow. Plan VIII is designed to illustrate the utmost 
simplicity of style, requiring the minimum of trouble and expense 
in its maintenance. In both plans the nearest part of the house 
stands thirty feet from the side street, and eighty-two feet from 
the street upon which the bay-windows look out. On this plan 
the short straight walk from the side street to the veranda is 
the only one that requires to be carefully made, and is but 
twenty-seven feet in length from the street to the steps ; while on 
Plate IX there is an entrance from both streets, connected by a 
curving walk with the main house entrance, and other walks to the 
kitchen entrances and carriage-house. This difference in the walks 
is suggestive of the greater embellishment of the latter plan in all 
other respects, and, with its vases, flower-beds, and more numerous 
groups of shrubbery, indicates the necessity for the constant services 
of a gardener. Plan VIII, on the other hand, with its plain lawn, 
and groups of trees which require but little care, and its few plain 
flower-beds, may easily be taken care of by any industrious pro- 
prietor, before and after the hours devoted to town business — ■ 
especially if the wife will assume the care of the flowers — and if 
the lawn is in high condition, and the trees are kept growing lux- 
uriantly, the simplicity of the planting will not result in any lack 
of that air of elegance which most persons desire to have theit 
places express ; for it is not so much costliness and elaborateness 
that challenges the admiration of cultivated people as the uncon- 



';'!n'Pi'i''UlViiMii'i'!IV^''iii^'^|l|il'''v^ 




AND GROUNDS. 165 

scious grace with which a plain dress may be worn, so as to appear 
elegant notwithstanding its simplicity. It will be observed that 
there is no vegetable garden on either plan, but a good number of 
cherry, pear, and other fruit trees, as well as an abundance of 
grapes, currants, raspberries, and strawberries are provided for. 
Yet in the neighborhood of the carriage-house, the ground in culti- 
vation under the trees may serve to produce a small quantity of 
those low vegetables which take but little room, and are wanted in 
small quantities only. 

Supposing the walks to be laid out as shown on the plan, the 
first things to be planted are the fruit trees. Three cherry trees — 
say the mayduke, black tartarian, and late-duke ; seven pear trees 
(not dwarfs) — say one Madeleine, one Dearborn's seedling, one 
Bloodgood, two Seckels, and two Bartletts ; two peach trees, .the 
George the Fourth or Haine's early, and Crawford's - early ; and 
a few orange-quinces near the stable, are all the fruit trees there is 
room for. The sides of the carriage-house and stable will afford 
the best of places for the growth of grapes ; the vines, however, 
should not be fastened directly to the wall, but on a trellis six 
inches or a foot from it, to allow a circulation of air through the 
foliage. Besides these, a few vines may be grown to advantage on 
a trellis back of the kitchen, and on a circular trellis around the 
gravelled space in front of the carriage-house,* and also on the 
back fence, marked raspberry border, if preferred. Currant bushes 
and raspberries do well in partially shaded situations, while grape 
vines need the most sunny exposure. The places for one or the 
other must therefore be chosen with reference to the light and 
shade adjacent to buildings, fences, and trees. 

The fruit trees being disposed of, let us turn to the lawn- 
ground. The front gate recedes from the street four feet, forming 
a bay from the side-walk. On the left, as one enters, the view is 
all open across the lawn. On the right of the gate, along the 
fence, there is a heavy mass of shrubbery, to be composed of lilacs, 
honeysuckles, weigelas, or any of the thrifty common shrubs which 



* The carriage turn-way is represented a little broader than it need be. There should be ten 
feet space between it and the back fence to make room for the trellis for grapes. 



166 PLANS OF BE SIB E N C E S 

do not grow bare of leaves at the bottom. Or, if an evergreen 
screen is preferred to these blossoming shrubs, the border may be 
planted irregularly with the American and Siberian arbor-vitaes. 
On the left, next to the fence, and close against it, we would plant 
English ivy, tree-box, periwinkle, or myrtle for the first ten feet, 
and hardy dwarf arbor-vitaes, hemlocks, and yews on the next ten 
feet. On the right of the walk, and two feet from it, is a straight 
bed for annual and bulbous flowers, which is backed by a bed of 
shrubbery running parallel with the walk, -designed to shut from 
view the kitchen drying-yard, under the cherry and pear trees. 
This screen should be composed entirely of evergreens which can 
be kept within seven feet in height. In the front, next to the 
flower-bed, may be a collection, in a row, of the finest very small 
dwarfs, of as many species as the owner desires to procure, backed 
by a dense- mass of arbor-vitses and hardy yews intermingled. The 
row of dwarf evergreens should in time occupy the space which is 
marked as a bed for annuals, while the former are too small to 
fill it. The masses of shrubs shown against the house may be of 
common sorts which are favorites with the proprietor or his family, 
and that do not exceed seven feet in height. On the left of the 
walk the flower-beds i, 2, and 3 may be filled, each, with one 
species of low flowers not exceeding nine inches in height, so as to 
make brilliant contrasts of colors. Beds 4 and 6 may be filled 
with bulbous flowers in the spring, and later, with geraniums, 
lantanas, or salvias. Bed 5 admits of some skill in arrangement. 
In its centre, next to the house, we would try the Japanese striped 
maize ; next to it a half circle of salvias ; outside of these a half 
circle of mountain-of-snow geranium ; next, a circle of Colleus ver- 
schafelti, and, next the grassy margin, the Mrs. Pollock geranium. 
Another season the same bed might be splendid with cannas alone, 
as follows : for the centre, one plant of the blood-red canna, C. san- 
giiinea chatei, six feet high ; one foot from it, three plants of the C. 
sellowi, four to five feet high ; next, a circle of the C. flaccida, three 
feet ; and for the outer circle the C. cojnpacta elegantisswta, two feet 
high, alternated with the C. augustifolia nana pallida. If the occu- 
pant of the house does not wish to obtain plants from the green- 
house to stock these beds, they may be cheaply and prettily filled 



A ND GRO UND S. 167 

by annuals graded in size in the same manner as above indicated 
for a bed of cannas. The circular border of cultivated ground be- 
tween the dining-room bay-window and the hemlock border may 
also be filled with annuals, graded from those that grow only a few 
inches high next the grass, to an outer circle made with flowering 
plants from four to six feet high. Bed 7 is intended for an assort- 
ment of geraniums. At 8 is a good place for the pendulous silver- 
fir ; and at 9 for Sargent's hemlock, Abies canadensis i?iverta, trained 
to a straight stick, and kept small by pruning. 

On a line with the side-walls of the house, and twenty feet in 
front, two sycamore maples are designated. We do not intend to 
recommend this variety as any better or more beautiful than the 
sugar, red-bud, or Norway maples, or than the horse-chestnut, but 
it represents a type of trees with formal outlines, and rich masses 
of foliage, which are appropriate for such places ; — unless the style 
of the house is picturesque ; in which case elms, birches, and other 
loose growing trees would be more appropriate. The centre group 
of evergreens is mostly composed of common and well-known 
sorts, the points being representations of the arbor-vitas family, 
and the centre of the taller hemlocks. Lawson's cypress is still a 
rare tree, and its hardiness is doubtful north of Philadelphia. 
Where it may not be safely used, a fuU-foliaged specimen of the 
Norway spruce may be substituted. South of New York, near 
the sea-coast, we would also substitute the Glypto-strobus sinensis ■ 
pendula for the arbor-vitae plicata. While' these trees are small 
they will appear insignificant in so large a bed ; but we advise no 
one to trust himself to plant trees more thickly than they should 
eventually grow, on the plea that when they crowd each other a 
part may be removed ; for however sound the theory, it is rarely 
carried out in practice. Besides, no trees are so beautiful as those 
which have an unchecked expansion from the beginning ; and this 
is especially the case with evergreens, some of which never recover 
from the malformations produced by being crowded during the 
first ten or fifteen years of their growth. Therefore, let the open 
spaces between the permanent trees, in the beds which are out- 
lined for cultivation, be filled during their minority with showy 
annuals or bedding plants ; — taking care not to plant so near to 



168 PLANS OF RESIDENCES 

the young trees as to smother or weaken them by the luxuriant 
growth of the former. 

The evergreen group on the right is intended to be made up 
entirely of firs — hemlocks, Norway and black spruces — mixed in- 
discriminately, to show as a mass, and not as single specimens. 
If the proprietor has a desire for rarities in this family, they can 
be substituted. 

The group on the left, as its symbols show, is intended to be 
entirely of pines. In the centre, plant a white pine and a Bhotan 
pine side by side and close together, the former on the south side 
of the latter. Fifteen feet back of them put in an Austrian pine ; 
towards the front the cembran pine ; to the extreme right, the 
dwarf white pine, P. strohiis compada, and in the spaces between 
fill with the varieties of the mugho or mountain pine, or with 
rhododendrons. 

The deciduous group lightly outlined near the right hand 
corner explains itself If thriftily grown, the trees there marked 
should make a beautiful group in summer, and a brilliant one in 
autumn. 

The pair of trees near the left-hand corner we would have the 
Kolreuteria paniculata. 

The hemlock border on the left, opposite the dining-room bay- 
window, is intended to form a close screen, to grow naturally till 
the trees occupy from seven to ten feet in width from the fence, 
when they are to be kept within bounds by pruning. They 
should be planted about two feet apart. 



Plate IX. 

Plan for a Corner Lot loo x I'jo feet, planted in a more elaborate 
style than the preceding plan. 

In describing the preceding plate, allusion was made to the 
greater expensiveness of this plan. Premising, therefore, that 
it is intended for a person who loves his trees and plants, and 
who can afford to keep a gardener in constant employ, we will 




■Lj-v^'i^j'o^"^ 



AND GROUNDS. 169 

briefly describe those features of the place which need expla- 
nation. 

The front entrance of the place (the one at the bottom of the 
page on the plate) is designed to have an elm tree arch over it, 
similar to that shown by Fig. 40 in Chapter XIV. The group A, 
on the right near the gate, may be entirely composed of rhodo- 
dendrons. 

The group E is composed of a pair of weeping silver-firs 
(nearest the gate), the mugho pine on the left, and the dwarf 
white pine, P. compacta, farthest from the gate. 

Group B, on the right, will shade the walk with the low and 
broadly spreading top of the Kolreuteria paniculata at its point, 
behind which may be another group of rhododendrons, and close 
to the fence a compact border of hemlocks, which must be allowed 
to spread well upon the ground, and mingle their boughs with the 
rhododendrons, but not to exceed eight or ten feet in height. 

The group C, with a sugar maple (in the place of which a pair of 
Magnolia machrophyllas, planted close together, might be substituted 
with good effect) in front of it, is to be composed of a circle of 
choice dwarf evergreens on the side next the house, backed by a 
hemlock border along the fence, as described for the jDreceding 
group. 

From the following list a choice of dwarf evergreen trees 
or shrubs can be made : Pinus strobus compada, Piiius stro- 
bus piimila, Pinus sylvestris piwiila, Pinus mughus, Picea pec- 
tinata compada, Picea pedinata pendula, Picea hicdsonica, Abies 
nigra pmnila, Abies nigra pe?idula, Abies excelsa gregoriana, Abies 
excelsa inverta, Abies e. conica, Abies canadensis inverfa, Abies 
canadensis parsoni, Andromeda floribiinda, tree-box, Buxics ar- 
borea, Hypericum kalmianum and H. prolijicmn, the kalmias, 
the creeping junipers jfuniperics repens, juniper us repanda dens a, 
jF. suecica, % suecica nana, J^. hibernica, y. obio?iga pendida, 
y. spcEroides, TJuija aurea, Thuja occidentalis compada, Taxus 
baccata aurea, Taxus ereda, Taxus baccata elegantissima, Cepha- 
lotaxus fortunii mascula, Taxus or Podocarpus japonica, the rho- 
dodendrons, and the mahonias. For the sizes and character- 
istics of all these, we must refer the reader to the descriptions ot 



170 PLANS OF RESIDENCES 

evergreen trees in Part II. By selecting the smallest evergreens 
for the front of the group; and placing the larger ones behind, even 
a small bed like this will accommodate a large number of speci- 
mens. The side towards the veranda is laid out in a formal 
circle for convenience in first laying it out, but as the planting 
progresses, and as it becomes desirable to add one small thing 
after another to the group, this, as well as some of the other 
groups, may be enlarged in the manner shown by the dotted lines ; 
or, it can be laid out in that manner at first, if the list of small 
choice evergreens to be purchased is large enough to fill it. Most 
of the finer dwarf evergreens are rare and costly compared with 
common sorts, so that the lists must be made with prudence, in 
order that these, together with other more indispensable purchases . 
from the nurseries, shall not amount to so large a sum as to sur- 
prise and discourage the planter. Where the resources of the 
proprietor will not permit him to procure at once everything that 
can be advantageously used on the place, it is best to plant, the 
first season, all the larger (which are usually the commoner and 
cheaper) trees and shrubs, keeping the beds filled with showy 
annuals, while acquiring, year by year, choice additional collections 
of permanencies. But it is quite essential to the formation of 
tasteful grounds that all the large permanent trees and shrubs be 
placed properly in the beginning, so that whatever is afterwards 
added will be of such subsidiary character as will group with and 
around the former. 

The group D,-from the gate to the pear tree, should be com- 
posed of a mass of low evergreen trees or shrubs planted about six 
feet from the walk ; and from the foot-walk gate to the carriage 
gate with a hedge of Siberia arbor-vits planted two feet from the 
fence. Between this hedge and the pear tree, at the intersection 
of the walks, there will be room enough for the following : mugho 
pine {P. mughns), the dwarf white pine {P. s. compadd), the Ceph- 
alotaxus fortimii viasaila, the conical yew i^Taxus ereda), the 
golden yew [Taxus aurea), the golden arbor-vitae {Thuja aurea), 
Sargent's hemlock {Abies canadensis inverta), and the weeping 
juniper (y. ohlonga penduld). By alternating the dark and light 
colored foliage of these evergreen shrubs, placing the dark ones 



A NB GRO UNB S\ 171 

farther from the walk than the light ones, they will form an in- 
teresting border, and in time a dense screen. 

Fifteen feet from the end of the veranda towards the front 
street, and twelve feet from the walk, a pine tree is indicated. 
This may be either the common white pine, or the more beautiful 
Bhotan pine, if one is willing to risk the permanence of the latter ; 
— unless the soil of the locality is such that neither of these pines 
will develop its beauty — in which case we would substitute either 
Nordmanns fir {Picea nordmaniand), or some deciduous tree which 
branches low. This tree is placed for the purpose of breaking 
the view from the street to the veranda, so that persons sitting in 
the latter will have a partial privacy from the street passers. If 
the soil is deeply fertile, and not too dry, the Magnolia soulangeana 
may be substituted for the pine, in climates not more severe than 
that of New York city ; while further north tlie double white-flower- 
ing horse-chestnut, allowed to branch low, is admirably adapted to 
the position. The white birch, in front of the centre line of the 
house, should be the cut-leaved weeping variety, which is too 
beautiful and appropriate to the place to allow anything else to be 
substituted for it. The tree in front of the other corner of the 
house, in the climate just mentioned, may be the Magnolia 
7nachrophylla ; in the northern States, any one of the following : 
the red-flowering, or double white-flowering horse-chestnut, purple- 
leaved beech, grape-leaved linden, the sugar, red-bud, Norway or 
sycamore maple (especially the gold-leaved variety of the latter), 
the oak-leaved mountain ash, or the tulip tree. While the tree is 
young a group of shrubs may be planted on an irregular line with 
the side of the house, so that the tree wdll form its centre, as shown 
on the plan. The position of two magnolias on the left may be 
determined by reference to the scale. In a region too cold, or a 
soil too thin or dry for the magnolias, we would substitute a 
group of three beeches — the weeping beech in the centre, the cut- 
leaved nearest the house, and the purple-leaved nearest the street. 
It will be observed that this side of the lot connects quite openly 
with the adjoining lot — having few trees or shrubs on the margin. 
If there is no division fence, or only a light and nearly invisible 
one, and that lot is pleasingly improved, the views across it from 



1V2 PLANS OF RESIDENCES 

the parlor and dining-room windows will exhibit a generous expan- 
sion of lawn which it is desirable to secure ; and it will probably 
include in the view from them some embellishments which this 
place has not. If, however, there is anything unsightly in the 
neighbor lot, or any unfriendly disposition on the part of its 
owner that induces him to ignore the advantage of mutual views 
over each other's lawns, and to fence or plant to prevent it, that 
side may then be filled with masses of shrubbery in a manner 
similar to that shown on the left of Plate IV. 

The group G, at the left, may be planted from the street to the 
pine with the strong growing old shrubs — lilacs, weigelas, honey- 
suckles, syringas, deutzias, etc., etc. Under, or rather near, the 
white or Austrian pine (the former pine if the soil is sandy, the 
latter if it is clayey), plant almost any of the yews, the Sargent 
hemlock, the Hypericum kahnianiim and H. prolifiaim, the tree- 
box variety angustifolia, and the variegated-leaved elder, all of 
which flourish in the shade of other trees. At the upper extreme 
of the group plant the pendulous Norway spruce, Abies excelsa 
inverta; eight feet behind it the common Norway spruce, and 
between this and the pine the Chinese cypress, Glypto-strobus 
sinensis pendula, and some of the evergreen shrubs just named. 

The belt of hemlocks against the fence, opposite the dming- 
room bay-window, is to be terminated at the front by a slender 
weeping silver -fir, Picea pectinata pendula. The trees at the two 
corners of the dining-room bay are intended for Irish junipers, 
or the weeping juniper, J. oblonga pendula. Other trees and shrubs 
are designated on the plan, and need no explanation. 

There are many small flower-beds on the plan, and one quite 
large rose-bed in the middle of the front at F. The latter is to 
have an elegant rose-pillar, or a substantial trellis in the centre, 
with groups of roses of varieties graded to diminish in size to the 
points. Or, if preferred, this may be a group of evergreens with 
the slender weeping silver-fir for a centre, and lower trees and 
dwarfs around it, so as to form the same figure of a cross. This 
will, in time, be more beautiful throughout the greater part of the 
year than the rose-bed, but the latter can be made far- more 
brilliant in summer. Yet the rude, briary appearance of rose- 



Sj^w; i«^^5^_ ^ — , ^^^^ _, 




AND GROUNDS. 173 

bushes, after the leaves fall, is a serious objection to them when 
compared with the cheerful elegance of a well-formed evergreen 
group at all seasons of the year. The other flower-beds are 
small, and of the simplest forms. Beds i, i, i, i should be filled 
in spring with bulbous flowers, and later with verbenas, portulaccas, 
Fhlox dru?nmondi, escholtzias, or similar low plants. Beds 2, 2 may 
have three geraniums in each, the largest variety in the middle. 
Beds 3 and 5, in the wall-corners, should have some little evergreen 
vines, say English or Irish ivies, planted in the extreme corner, 
with heliotrope and mignonette around them. Bed 4 may be 
planted as suggested in the description of Plate VIII. Beds 
6, 6, 6, 6 may be filled with four varieties of cannas of about equal 
height; 7, 7, and 9 with low bulbs in spring, and later with gladiolii 
in the centre and petunias or other flowers of similarly brilliant 
and abundant bloom, around them. Bed 8 to have a mountain-of- 
snow geranium, or a Wiga?idia caracasana in the centre, and three 
robust plants of Colleus verschafeiti on the points ; 10 is a mass of 
cannas ; 1 1 may be a bed of hollyhocks, with a tall sort in the 
centre, and low varieties around it. We have merely suggested the 
flowers for the various beds as a starting-point for persons unfa- 
miliar with flowers. Most intelligent ladies, as well as gardeners, 
are more familiar with flower culture than with any other garden- 
ing art, and will be able to vary the beds from year to year, and to 
improve on the selections here given. They will also learn by 
experiment, better than they can be told, the best materials to 
use in embellishing with flowers and wreathing leaves, the vases 
near the entrance steps. 

Plate X. 

A Simple Plan for Planting an Interior Lot two hundred feet f?'ont 
and three himdred feet deep. 

This plan represents a large mansion on an in-lot two hundred 
feet front by three hundred feet deep. Plate XI is the same house 
and lot treated more elaborately. The same differences, carried 
out on a larger scale, may be observed between these two plans of 



174 PLANS OF RESIDENCES 

grounds, as between those of Plates VIII and IX ; the one here 
described having a less extent of drive, walks, and ornamental 
plantations than the plan shown by Plate XI. All the surround- 
ings are supposed to be the same, and the different modes of laying 
out the grounds are meant to represent simply the different tastes 
or means of occupants. Here the proprietor is supposed to desire 
grounds of the most simple character, which will be at the same 
time suitable to the mansion and the lot. The entrance road, 
turnway, and drive to the stable are the most direct and simple 
that can be made ; and they constitute also the only entrance 
walks to the house. Ninety feet of the rear of the lot is devoted 
to utilities, viz. : to carriage-house conveniences, to a kitchen- 
garden, and an orchard ; the ground in the latter being also de- 
voted to culture for small fruits and vegetables until the fruit trees 
are large enough to shadow the whole ground. The front two 
hundred and ten feet, is all devoted to the house and its ground 
embellishments. The drive is ten feet in width ; the circle around 
which it turns is thirty feet in diameter. An avenue of three elm 
trees on each side of' the entrance-drive are its only decorations, 
though the street-trees in a line with them will give it the appear- 
ance of an avenue of eight instead of six trees. In the centre of 
the circle a pine tree is designated — to be a white pine if the soil 
is sandy, otherwise an Austrian. These trees are chosen because 
they are of rapid and healthy growth, and cast their lower branches 
as they grow large, so that the lawn beneath them, while it is 
deeply shadowed, is not destroyed, and the view under the 
branches is unobstructed. This will be rather an objection than 
a merit with those persons who desire the main entrance to be 
quite secluded and concealed from view. We would recommend 
for them that the circle be planted with a group of firs, whose 
branches rest upon the ground during all stages of their growth, 
and would eventually cover the whole circle with an impene- 
trable mass of foliage. A single Norway spruce planted in 
the centre will do this. So, probably, would a Nordmanns fir, 
J'icea nordmaniana. While these trees are small, the borders of 
the circle (supposing it to be desirable to shut out the view of the 
approach road from the porch) may be planted, four feet from the 



AND GROUNDS. 175 

road, with quick growing deciduous shrubs, such as bush honey- 
suckles, Hlacs, weigelas, deutzias, etc., which can be removed when 
the centre tree begins to crowd them. Or, witli one of the same 
large evergreens in the centre, a gardenesque border may be 
formed around the circle with single specimens of rare dwarf 
evergreens, planted four feet from the road. Doubtless the noblest 
feature of such a turn circle is a single great spreading tree 
like a mature white oak or American chestnut, and if the pro- 
prietor appreciates the pleasures of hope, and desires the greatest 
simplicity of effect, he had better plant the latter. We have seen 
specimens of the American chestnut of colossal size, which men 
now living remember as sprouts. 

A lot so large as this must needs have a ground-plan of the 
planting made on a large scale, and as it is extremely difficult to 
carr}^ out any system of planting for such a place from a verbal 
description, we shall not attempt to describe in detail all the 
materials that form the plantation, but make merely a rough 
inventory of its properties. Though it is an in-lot, and in the 
main designed without connection with adjoining lots, from which 
it is shown to be separated by high fences or walls and shrubbery 
to within sixty or seventy feet of the street, yet on this front space 
we have left openings on each side for connections with adjoining 
grounds. Back of this, each side of the lot is bounded by screens 
of evergreens. On the right of the drive to the carriage-house is 
a cold grape-house. The house-front is supposed to be to the 
east, so that this grapery has a southern exposure. It may seem 
to have no border for the roots of the grape vines, if it is supposed 
that the road in its front has been made by excavating all the 
good soil and substituting broken stone and gravel only. But we 
would not have this done. For a road-bed, or for a grape border, 
the drainage must be equally deep and effective. That being 
secured we would make the road-bed of the best grape soil, and 
pave over it with stone, after the " Belgian " and " Medina " pave- 
ment manner, at least as far as the length of the grape house ; 
using no more sand or gravel than is necessary to bed or fill in 
between the stone. Of course this bed will rise and fall by the 
freezing and thawing of the soil beneath, but this will do no 



176 PLANS OF B E SID E NC E S 

harm. The rich soil of the pavement-bed will also start vegeta- 
tion between the stones, but on so narrow a road, in constant use, 
the extra labor required to keep the surface clean is inconsidera- 
ble. On the other hand the pavement acts as a cooling mulch 
in summer and the contrary in winter — it equalizes both the tem- 
perature and moisture of the roots, and by the reflection of heat 
from its surface, adds to the heating power of the sun's rays in 
maturing the grapes within. Were the road-bed not made suitable 
feeding ground for the roots of the vines within, such a jDOsition for 
a grapery would of course be impracticable ; but when thus pre- 
pared it becomes the most advantageous for the production of 
good grapes, as well as convenient of access. Beyond the cold grape- 
house the fence is made use of for training hardy grape vines. On 
the left is a bed designed for growing Delaware grapes on stakes, 
at first, with the intention of making them eventually into self- 
sustaining low trees. On and near the garden-walk from the back 
veranda are also trellises and an arbor for hardy grapes. A row 
of seven cherry trees planted one hundred feet from the back line 
of the lot forms a sort of dividing line between the decorative and 
the utilitarian parts of the lot. The orchard-rows back of it, when 
the trees are well-grown, will, however, add much to the pleasant 
character of the vistas from the front street, and need not be out 
of harmony with the groupings on the lawn in front of them. 
While the trees are small, and the ground cultivated in garden 
crops, it may be desirable to have a grape-trellis or an arbor-vitae 
hedge-screen midway between the rows of cherry and pear trees, or 
a bed of tall and massy annuals ; but after ten years the effect will 
be better if there is no division between the lawn and the orchard. 



Plate XI. 

A Plan for a First Class Suburban Home 07i a Lot two hundred feet 
front and three hu?idred feet deep. 

This plan differs from the country residence of a retired citizen 
in this, that it is a home which does not include orchards, pastures, 
and meadows, but is devoted to the development of sylvan beauty 



Plate 51 




-^N 



AND GROUNDS. 177 

rather than pecuniary utilities, or farm conveniences. It is a suita- 
ble home for a family of cultivated people, with ample means, and 
rural tastes. 

The orchard which takes an important place in the preceding 
plan is here omitted, to make a more extensive lawn and a fine 
pleasure-walk. The entrance-drive is more expensive than in the 
preceding plan, and a side entrance walk is added. In dispensing 
with an orchard we have endeavored to introduce in other places 
enough fruit trees to supply the family with those kinds of fruit 
which it is most indispensable to have on one's own place. It will 
be seen that there are four cherry trees on the north (right) side of 
the house ; four pear trees along the border leading to the carriage- 
house, three more on the left-hand border of the kitchen-garden, 
and four peach trees. Some of the groups in other parts of the 
grounds may now and then include a fruit tree. Apple and pear 
trees, Siberian crabs and quinces, which harmonize well with some 
of the purely ornamental trees, may be introduced in sufficient 
numbers in this way to furnish a good supply of summer fruits. 
The north fence back of the evergreen-screen is a continuous trellis 
for hardy grapes. Grape trellises also occupy the ends of two 
divisions of the kitchen-garden back of the house. If a grape- 
house is added, it may occupy either the place indicated on the 
preceding plan, or be built with its back to the walk on the left of 
the garden, and facing the left. In this case a few of the trees 
there would be omitted, and a slight change made in the arrange- 
ment beyond. Raspberries can be grown in abundance on the 
border next the back fence, strawberries under the growing fruit 
trees, and currants on the walks where designated. The kitchen- 
garden is certainly small for so fine a place, being but 60 x 80 
feet, including the central-walks ; but this space, if well used for 
those things only which can be better grown than bought, will 
produce a greater amount of vegetables than many persons sup- 
pose ; and in addition to this space permanently dedicated to such 
things, room will be found for many years on the borders and 
among the young trees of a plantation to grow many vegetables 
which are by no means unsightly. In fact, such plants as beets, 
carrots, parsnips, cabbages, and sea-kale, all of which have foliage 



178 PLANS OF RESIDENCES 

of great beauty and are of low growth, can occasionally be grown 
to advantage, to cover ground which needs cultivation, in places 
where they will fill in with as good effect as flowering annuals. A 
good gardener can also grow strawberries with profit in young 
shrubbery plantations, where their presence will not be noticed. 

Let us now suppose ourselves in the street on the side-walk 
at A. From that corner the house and grounds will be seen to 
good advantage, but the finest lines of view on the latter will be 
obtained further to the right. At the point B, the whole length of 
the lawn to the evergreen boundaries and shrubby groups of the 
croquet and archery ground is an unbroken expanse, margined 
on the left by varied groups of trees with clear stems, whose 
shadows fleck, but do not interrupt the view ; behind these, masses 
of large flowering shrubs form continuous bays and projections of 
foliage that rest upon the lawn ; while on the right, in the distance, 
glimpses of the pleasure-walk, now open, now lost to sight behind 
verdant arches and projecting groups, and nearer, the long vine- 
covered front of the veranda, and the light colors of many flower- 
beds in dark bays or on open lawn — altogether, will give from 
this point of view an impression of beauty and extent not often 
realized on less than an acre and a half Nor will the view be less 
pleasing from the main entrance at C, for from this point the trees 
and the shrubbery on the left are seen to better advantage, and 
the evergreen groups, summer-house, and flower-beds of the far 
corner come into view. From D and E the views are shorter, but 
take in a variety of groups and single trees which will be more or 
less interesting according to the choice of materials in planting, 
and the luxuriance with which they are grown. Glimpses may 
also be seen from these points of the long lawn and the flower- 
beds on the south side of the house. At F, over the gateway, we 
would have a hemlock arch like some of those shown in Chapter 
XIV. Standing under this arch, narrow openings between shrubs 
and trees give a glimpse directly in front, margined by low beds of 
flowers, of the fruit trees and vines that border the drive down to 
the carriage-house front ; which should, of course, be designed to 
form a pleasing centre of this vista. The views will also be pleas- 
ing in every direction as one walks along towards the house. On 



PLil.- XH 




AND GROUNDS. 179 

the line G, H, between thirty and forty feet from the street, an 
open line of lawn is maintained with a view to reciprocity of vistas 
with the smaller front grounds of adjoining neighbors. 

As remarked of the preceding plan, this design embraces too 
much for verbal description, and should be planted after a well- 
considered working plan. But there is one small feature to which 
we would call attention, viz. : the triangular piece between the 
entrance-road and turn-ways. This is marked to be planted with 
fir trees, to grow into a dense mass, in order to counteract as far 
as possible, by its shadows and the depth of its verdure, the bare 
exposure of the surrounding roads. The centre tree should be 
the Norway spruce, and the others surrounding it, hemlocks. 

A careful examination of the plan will, we trust, supersede the 
necessity of any further description. 



Plate XII. 

An Inside Lot one hundred feet front, and one hundred and 
sixty feet deep. 

Reference was made to this plate in descriptions of Plates VIII 
and IX, the house-plan and the lot, in form and size, being nearly 
the same ; this plan being an in-lot with no carriage-house and 
stable, and the others being corner lots with these conveniences. 
The lot here represented is supposed to have an alley on the 
rear end, and to front on the south side of an east and west 
street. This gives the bay-window front of the house a northern 
exposure. A great advantage, in the outlook from the windows, 
results from this exposure, viz. : that one sees the sunny-side of all 
the shrubbery in the front grounds, and thus has the satisfaction 
of finding his verdant pets always in a smiling humor. The 
house is sixty feet from the front street, and about the same 
depth in the rear end of the lot is devoted to the kitchen- 
garden, fruits, and cow, wood and coal-house ; this part be- 
ing separated from the part devoted to lawn by a grape-trellis 
and border. Near the street the neighbors' lots are supposed 



180 PLANS OF RESIDENCES 

to offer satisfactory openings where indicated by the upper dotted 
lines on each side. The groups of shrubbery are placed so 
as to illustrate many of the suggestions of .the rules given in 
Chapter XI. No long vista of lawn is possible, but the groups 
and single specimens of shrubs or dwarf trees, with a few bedding- 
plants and flower-beds, if properly chosen, and planted in con- 
formity with the plan, and well grown, will hardly fail to make 
a yard of superior attractiveness ; especially pleasing as seen 
from the bay-windows ; — the arrangement having been made with 
reference to the effect from them. 

Description. — Let us begin at the front-entrance gate, from 
which a walk four feet wide leads straight to the veranda entrance, 
^nd a walk three feet in width to the kitchen entrance. On 
each side the front gate arbor-vitas trees (the Siberian) are desig- 
nated, with low masses of evergreen shrubs between them and 
the fence. An opening to a straight walk like this is especially 
appropriate for a verdant arch, and if the proprietor has the 
patience to grow one, the substitution of the hemlock for the arbor- 
vitffi is recommended. For an arch, the trees should not be planted 
more than two feet away from the walk. 

The only large trees on this plan are a pair of maples, about 
twelve feet, diagonally, from the corners of the veranda and 
main house respectively ; a white or Austrian pine on the right 
border, four cherry trees in the right-side yard, and the pear trees 
in the kitchen-garden department. The maples may be the purple- 
leaved, and the golden-leaved varieties of the sycamore maple. A 
hemlock screen or hedge bounds the croquet ground on the south ; 
at the corner are a few Norway spruces ; next, in front, a group of 
arbor-vitaes ; then a continuous hedge of the same for twenty feet, 
terminated by a group of arbor-vitaes and yews chosen to exhibit 
contrasts of color. 

The group on the left, between the upper dotted lines, is to be 
composed of a variety of strong growing common shrubs, with a 
Lawson's cypress or a Nordmanns fir, or the Chinese cypress, 
Glypto-strobus sinensis, where the symbol of the arbor-vitae is 
shown. Towards the street from that tree we would put in ever- 
green shrubs only. 



AND GROUNDS. 181 

The lilac group in front may embrace all the finest varieties of 
that family — the common white and Charles the Tenth varieties 
near the centre ; the chionanthus-leaved next towards the house ; 
the Chinese red, Rothafnagensis rubra, next; the Persian white, 
Persica alba, next ; the dwarf, Syringa nana, at the point ; and the 
Chinese purple and white for the two wings of the group. Near the 
fence we would plant a few common bush honeysuckles, as the 
dust from the street has a less injurious effect on tlieir foliage than 
on that of the lilacs. 

The central front group, to the right of the lilac group, may 
be : — a purple fringe tree nine feet from the fence, and in succes- 
sion from it, towards the house, the pink-flowering honeysuckle, 
Lonicera grandiflora, five feet from the fringe tree ; the Deiitzia C7-e- 
nata rubra, four feet further ; and at the point, the Deutzia gracilis, 
four feet from the latter. The shrub on the right may be Gordon's 
flowering currant. 

The single small trees on each side the entrance, twelve feet 
from the front, and fifteen feet from the middle of the walk, may 
be, one the weeping silver-fir, and the other the weeping Norway 
spruce, grown as slenderly as possible. The shrubs towards the 
fence, under and next to the fir tree on the right, may be hardy 
varieties of dwarf evergreens or a bed of mahonias. 

The group in the right-hand corner may have at its point 
towards the house a bed for cannas, or other showy-leaved plants ; 
next to it the Chinese purple magnolia ; back of that the Magnolia 
soulangeana, grown low, or a weeping Japan sophora, and between 
it and the front, a bed of rhododendrons, or two or three mugho 
pines ; the projecting shrub on the left to be the dwarf white 
pine, P. strobus compada. 

The side border, under and near to the large pine, we would 
have a bed of rhododendrons ; next to these, towards the street, 
the evergreen shrub, Cephalotaxus fortunii mascula, and for the point 
in front of it, the golden yew. Along the fence, above the pine, 
the border may be composed of the finest collection of hardy ever- 
green shrubs that the proprietor can afford ; or, if they are too 
expensive, or too long in developing their beauties, the border may 
be made almost as satisfactory with common deciduous shrubs. 



182 FLANS OF RESIDENCES 

The groups in front of the veranda, between the cherry trees, 
and those against the house, may be composed of shrubs which 
are family favorites, or with annual and perennial flowering plants 
of graded sizes. The flower-beds adjacent to the main walk are 
for low-growing plants only. The two small bushes behind the 
flower-beds nearest the gate are to be, one the golden arbor-vitae, 
and the other the golden yew ; and in the rear of the next flower- 
bed on the right, an Irish juniper is intended. Between the bay- 
windows a weeping juniper, ^. oblonga pendula, or the weeping 
Norway spruce, Abies e. inverta, may be planted, or the bed may be 
occupied as described for Plate VIII. The beds directly in front 
of the bay-windows can be different each year, with such plants 
as some of the medium-sized cannas, the Wigandia caracasana, 
the Nicoteana atropurpiirea grandiflora, and the Japanese maize 
for the centre plant, and round, bushy-headed plants, like the 
geraniums and the Colleus verschafelti, for the projecting parts of 
the beds. 

Since the engraving has been completed, we perceive that the 
kitchen department of this lot — that back of the grape-trellis — 
might be more advantageously planned, but as we cannot now 
correct it, the reader's ingenuity must be exercised to improve it. 



Plate XIII. 

A Plan of the Grounds for a Commodious House with a side-entrance 
porch, on an Inside Lot having a front of one hundred and sixty 
feet on the street, and a depth of three hundred and eight feet. 

The front of the main veranda of the house is seventy feet 
from the street ; the distance from the porch-front to the side of 
the lot is sixty-five feet, and the space between the house and the 
right-hand side of the lot is forty feet. This is a very desirable 
form of lot. It allows of a long reach of lawn on the entrance-side, 
and sufficient openness on all sides to be in keeping with so large 
a house ; while there is ample room for stable and carriage-house 
conveniences, fruit trees, and a vegetable garden. 



Plate JSL 




AND GB OUND S. 183 

This is the first plan that shows a residence with its carriage- 
porch and main entrance on the side — an arrangement that econo- 
mizes space to great advantage on narrow lots, and enables the 
architect to have more liberty in the arrangement and exposure of 
the principal rooms, and to makie more pleasing views from their 
windows over the grounds.* It will be seen that the turn-way of the 
carriage-road is partly back of the house, around a circular grass 
plat twenty feet in diameter, in the centre of which is a pine tree. 
The drive turns close to the back veranda, where a platform-step is 
provided for easy ingress and egress from carriages. This is likely 
to be the carriage-porch of the family Avhen unaccompanied by 
friends. Beyond the turn, the road is straight along the trellised 
boundary of the kitchen-garden, and widens with abundant space in 
front of the carriage-house. Near the rear of the lot are a few 
cherry and peach trees ; back of the drying-yard and kitchen are 
others. A row of pear trees on the left of the main drive are 
enough to furnish a summer and autumn supply of this delicious 
fruit; while in other portions of the grounds, apples and crab- 
apple trees may be introduced as parts of groups. Of the small 
fruits the garden plan shows an ample provision. 

The purely decorative portion of the place may be in part de- 
scribed as follows : — beginning at the carriage-entrance. This starts 
from the middle of the opening between two street trees, and is 
flanked on either side simply by a pair of trees of any fine variety 
of elms or maples, chestnuts, horse-chestnuts, oaks or beeches, to be 
planted ten feet from the fence, and the same distance from the 
drive. While they are young the ground for a radius of six feet 
around them should be kept in cultivation, and planted on its outer 
margin with such deciduous shrubs as flowering-currants, purple 
berberries, variegated-leaved elder, privet, glossy-leaved viburnum, 
common bush honeysuckles, or whatever else will grow in partial 
shade, not exceeding six or seven feet in height, and with branches 
bending to the grass. When the trees are ten or fifteen years 

* We cannot commend this house plan as particularly adapted to the lot. The j>lan for tJie 
grounds grew up around tlie Jiouse as a thing already fixed. The latter is designed to meet 
the wants of a man of "bookish" tastes, as weU as wealth, who needs a fine library-room separate 
from the family room. 



184 PLANS OF RESIDENCES 

planted, all these must be removed. Or the groups of shrubbery 
around these trees may be composed entirely of rhododendrons if 
the proprietor can afford it. The group to the left, adjoining the 
neighbor-lot, is intended as a continuation of the group around the 
left-hand gateway tree, and may be composed of similar shrubs of 
larger growth. The two small pine trees farther up on the left, 
marked i, are to be the mugho and dwarf white pines — the latter 
towards the house. The group of shrubs (2) between these and 
the carriage-way, and near the latter, should be choice small hardy 
evergreens — say, for the centre, the weeping juniper, y. oblonga 
pendula, or the erect yew, Taxiis ereda ; each side of this, on a line 
parallel with the road, and three feet from the centre, the golden 
arbor-vitae, and the golden yew ; at the ends, and three feet from 
the latter, plant the dwarf silver-fir, Picea pedinata compada, and 
the dwarf spruce, Abies gregoriana. Outside the line of these, 
and midway of the spaces between them, plant the pygmy spruce, 
the dwarf black spruce, .the dwarf Swedish juniper, the juniper 
repanda densa, the trailing juniper repens, and the Dap /me 
cneorum. The first pair of fir trees on the left, next the fence (3), 
may be, one the Norway, and the other the oriental spruce. The 
border along the fence is to be of hemlocks ; the next pair of firs 
(4) may be the cephalonian fir, nearest the fence, and the Nord- 
manns fir ten feet in advance of it. The pine tree (5) opposite the 
bay-window of the room marked S, is improperly placed there. It 
should be fifteen feet further towards the front of the lot ; and is 
intended for the Bhotan pine. The two small trees on the left (6), 
opposite the turn-circle, are a pair of Judas trees. The group of 
four trees next the fence (7) may be a pair of sassafras in the 
middle ; a weeping Japan sophora nearest the house, and the 
white-flowering dogwood farthest from the house. An under- 
growth nearest to the fence may be made with the red-twigged dog- 
wood, Cornus alba, the flowering-currants, and the variegated-leaved 
elder ; and the border continued to the rear corner with common 
and well-known shrubs. No. 8 is for a Kolreuteria paniculata, 
connected by overarching shrubs with the side-border ; 9 is a 
weeping beech ; 10, 10, masses of hemlocks ; the tree in the far 
corner an Austrian pine ; 1 1 a white pine, and behind it an 



AND GROUNDS. 185 

Austrian pine ; and hemlocks and white pines fill the border 
towards the carriage-house. 

On the right of the lawn the fruit trees are sufficiently symbol- 
ized. At 12, a purple beech; at 13, a group of the choicest shrubs 
increasing in size as they recede from the house. For the point 
nearest the carriage-road the Andromeda floribunda is well suited ; 
eighteen inches behind it the Deutzia gracilis ; the same distance 
from that, two plants side by side and one foot apart from the Rho- 
dodendron roseum elegans ; then pairs of plants of rhododendrons 
in the following order, R. album candidissima, R. grandijloriim 
gloriosum ; and beyond them, for the end of the bed, Sargent's 
hemlock, or the pendulous Norway spruce, A. e. inverta ; or, 
the weeping, silver-fir, Picea p. pendiila. The group at the turn of 
the carriage-road, and on a line with the pear trees, may be com- 
posed of any good common shrubs of large size, being careful to 
place those which grow bare at the bottom in the rear of those 
whose foliage bends gracefully to the ground. The bed adjoining 
the rear veranda is for the choice small pet-flowers of the lady 
of the house, whatever they may be. 

On the front, the large tree to the right of the carriage-road, 
nearest the house, is intended for the cut-leaved weeping birch, 
or a pair of them planted but a few feet apart. At 14 may be a 
single plant of the old red tartarian honeysuckle, grown in rich 
ground and allowed to spread upon the lawn. At 15, on the 
end towards the house, a Japan weeping sophora grafted not 
more than seven feet high ; in the middle, on the side towards 
the street, the Andromeda arborea ; and on either side of that 
the Deiitzias crenata alba, and Crenata rubra. At 16, towards 
the house, the broad-leaved strawberry tree Enonymus latifo- 
lius ; on the left of the group the Weigela rosea; four feet to 
the right of it the Weigela amabalis ; four feet to the right again, 
the Weigela arborea grandiflora ; and at the right end of the 
group, the great-leaved snow-ball. Viburnum niachrophyllmn ; and 
between these and the strawberry tree, the dwarf sno\y-ball. Vi- 
burnum anglicum. At 17 plant the great-leaved magnolia, M. 
machrophyllutn. At 18 we would make a flat pine tree arch over 
the gateway, as suggested in Chapter XIV. At 19 is a bed of 



186 PLANS OF RESIDENCES. 

shrubs that should be always in high condition, as it is conspicu- 
ous from every point of view. We will suggest for its point 
nearest the house the Spirea callosa alba; then the Deutzia gra- 
cilis ; next, two feet from the former, the Spirea reevesi fiore plena ; 
next (in the middle line of the bed), the Spirea callosa fortunii, with 
a Daphne cneorum on each side of it to cover its nakedness near 
the ground ; and for the end of the bed nearest the entrance-gate, 
the Chinese red, or the Chinese purple magnolia. Or this bed 
may be filled with evergreen shrubs or shrubby trees alone, as 
follows : for the point nearest the house, the Daphne cneorum ; near, 
and behind it, the Andromeda florihunda ; next, two feet from the 
former, a pair of rhododendrons, Roseum elegans and Albtifn can- 
didissima ; next, in the middle, a single rhododendron, glorioswn, 
with a rhododendron, everestianum, on each side of it ; next, in the 
centre line of the bed, the Cephalotaxiis fortunii masciila ; and for 
the end of the bed next the street the golden yew, or the golden 
arbor- vitse. No. 20 is the weeping juniper, Oblonga pendula ; 21 is 
a grand rose-bed; 22, a belt of common shrubs; 23, an Irish 
juniper; 24, a Swedish juniper; 25, Siberian arbor-vitaes, con- 
tinued as a high hedge around to 26, where it is terminated by a 
Nordmanns fir. In the centre of the semicircle which this hedge 
is intended to describe, and on a line with the centre of the dining- 
room, is to be an elegant vase for flowers ; and four circular beds 
for low brilliant flowers are intended to make the view from the 
bay-window more pleasing. The very small shrubs at the corners 
of that bay-window represent Irish junipers. 

The flower-beds in this plan need not be described in detail. 
Quite a number of vases are marked on the plan, but they are not 
essential to the good effect of the planting, though pleasing addi- 
tions if well chosen and well filled. 

Fig. 43 is a view of the house on this plan, taken from a point 
on the street line fifty or sixty feet to the left of this lot, looking 
across 'a portion of the neighbor-lot, and its light division fence. 
The architect having kindly furnished a sketch of the house with- 
out any reference to the grounds, we have endeavored to sketch 
the sylvan features as shown on the ground-plan, from the same 
point of view ; but it is quite impossible in small engravings to do 



188 PLANS OF RESIDENCES 

justice to the pleasing effects of such plantations. Photographic 
views occasionally give exquisite effects of parts of embellished 
grounds, but even these fail to convey a correct impression of the 
accessories of the central point of view. It is quite certain that a 
place planted (and well kept) in the manner indicated by this plate 
and description, will be far prettier than any picture of it that can 
be engraved. 

Plates XIV and XV. 

Two Methods of Planting a small Corner Lot. 

In these two plates we desire to illustrate two modes of treat- 
ing a village corner lot of fifty feet front, where the small depth of 
the lot, or other circumstances, requires the house to be placed 
quite near the front street. The house plans resemble each other 
in form, though it will be seen that the one on Plate XIV is set 
but five steps above the level of the ground, and has its kitchen 
and dining-room on the main floor, while the plan on Plate XV 
is a city basement house, with kitchen and dining-room under the 
bed-room and parlor, the main floor being raised ten steps above 
the street. The two ground plans (by which we mean plans of 
the grounds) differ essentially in this, that the first has one side- 
wall of the house directly on the street, so as to throw its narrow 
strip of lawn, and embellishments, on the inside of the lot, away 
from the side-street ; while on Plate XV the entire length of the 
house on that side is supposed to be a party-wall, as if it were 
part of a block, or one of a pair of houses. 

Ground Plan of Plate XIV. — The veranda front is but 
eight feet from the street. Unless the approach-steps are of a 
character less plain than those shown on the plan, little can be 
done to decorate this narrow space. The veranda can be covered 
with vines, and a strip three feet wide in front of it may be de- 
voted to choice flowers; but we would advise to have nothing 
there but the vines and the lawn. On each side the steps we 
would plant either the tree-box, the golden yew, the golden arbor- 



Plate a\r 




02 4 6 8 10 12 I* te IS 20 

I I I I I I I I I I 1 

SwU 16 feet 1 InA.. 



FRONT STREET. 



AND GROUNDS. 189 

vitae, or the arborescent English ivy. If the front were to the 
north or east, and the soil a moist, friable loam, a very elegant 
sylvan arch might be made in time by planting six hemlock trees • 
two in the corners just described, and four inside the gate — two 
on each side, and but a foot apart, as shown by the dots at a, a. 
Two of these could be made to grow into an arch over the gate, 
and the others to form two arches at right angles to the first, on 
each side of the walk. This would only be practicable, however, 
in case the town authorities will allow the trees nearest the gate 
to develop into the street ; but with four feet additional width in 
front of the veranda, it' would be feasible without such privilege. 
In the left corner of the front, a Siberian arbor-vitae screen is 
intended. The veranda on the left is intended to be partially 
inclosed between the posts with lattice-work, and covered with 
vines — there being just room enough between the veranda-founda- 
tion and the street line for the protection of their roots. 

Let us now turn to the narrow lawn-strip on the right ; a space 
but twenty feet wide and seventy feet deep to the arch-entrance 
of the grape-arbor and kitchen-garden on a line with the rear of 
the house. Midway of this strip the bay-window projects. The 
two objects to be kept in view in laying out this bit of a laAvn 
are, first, to make the most pleasing out-look from the bay- 
window ; and, second, the most pleasing in-look from the street. 
It is assumed that there is no desirable connection to be made 
with the lot on the right, so that a fence necessarily bounds 
the view on that side. We must suppose also that there is no 
house built, or likely to be built, up to that line, otherwise it would 
not be sensible to place the house on the street-side of the lot, but 
rather in the manner shown by Plate XV, 

The close fence, back to opposite the bay-window, should be 
covered with English ivy if it can be made to gi'ow there. Unless 
the exposure is due south, there ought to be little difficulty in 
getting the ivy to cover the fence if the owner will take the trouble 
to have it thatched over with straw on the approach of winter, 
and the base well mulched, A fence in such a place, if of wood, 
must be a neat piece of work, and well painted. Ivy will not 
creep up painted wood. We would therefore make a kind of 



190 PLANS OF RESIDENCES 

trellis from post to post on the inside of the fence, and put down 
small sticks with the bark on, by the side of the ivy roots. These 
should be inside the trellis-bars, and reach nearly to the top of the 
fence, and be fastened there. The plants will readily climb these 
sticks and soon hide them from sight. In a few seasons, if they 
have been safely preserved through the first winter,* the branch- 
ing arms of the ivy will extend over the bars of the trellis, and 
by their radiating growth soon weave a self-sustaining wall of 
verdure. By the time the barky sticks decay, the ivy will have 
no need of their support This ivy-wall being the right flank of 
our little lawn, it is essential that it be well planted. 

At the street front of this lawn are two Siberian arbor-vitass b, b, 
shown on the plan of a size they are likely to attain in about five 
years after planting. Doubtless at first these alone will leave the 
front too open, but in ten years they will be all this part of the 
place will require. 

To return to the lawn : c is the weeping juniper, J^. oblonga 
pendula; d, an Irish juniper; e, a pendulous Norway spruce, 
Abies e. inverta ; f, a golden arbor-vitae ; g, the weeping silver-fir, 
Ficea pedinata pendula ; on one side of the latter may be planted 
the dwarf silver-fir, Picea pedinata compada, and on the other the 
Picea hudsonica. The dotted circle projecting into the lawn in 
front of the arbor-vits is for any showy bulbous or bedding-plants 
which will not spread much beyond the limits of the bed. At /z, 
plant Parson's American arbor-vitae. Thuja ocddentalis compada ; at 
/, another pendulous Norway spruce ; in front of it a vase ; at/, ky 
and /, three bushy rhododendrons ; or, the golden yew, Taxus 
aurea, the erect yew, Taxus ereda, and the juniper, Repanda 
densa. At in, Sargent's hemlock, Abies canadensis inverta; n, An- 
dromeda floribunda and Daphne cneorum. At o and v, plant a pair 
of Deutzia gracilis, or showy bedding plants, or fine conservatory 
plants in boxes, buried 3— plants of gorgeous foliage to be pre- 
ferred : back of 0, the weeping arbor-vitse ; at /, the purple-leaved 
berberry ; q, Weigela amabalis ; r, r, r, r, Irish or Swedish junipers. 



* The first winter or two, these sticks may be turned down along the fence with the ivy upon 
- them for greater ease in protecting the latter. 



AND GROUNDS. 191 

Near the arch entering the garden, two Bartlett pear trees may be 
substituted for them ; but in this case the grape vines on the 
treUis will be rendered barren as soon as the trees grow to shade 
them. As the pear trees will probably furnish the most valuable 
crop and form a not inappropriate feature, there will be no impro- 
priety in using them. The plants for the side of the house will 
depend somewhat on its exposure. The following list will do for 
any but a north exposure. From c, back to the bay-window, a 
selection of the finest low-growing monthly roses, alternated with 
Salvia fidgens or splendens, or with any of a thousand beautiful 
annuals or perennials of low compact growth. At the inner angle 
of the bay-window a group of five rhododendrons j R. grandifioruin 
in the corner, and four of the best dwarf sorts around it, will be 
appropriate. If the exposure of this wall is to the north, we would 
cover it with the superb native of our woods, the Virginia creeper 
or American ivy. At J, the old bush honeysuckle, Lonicera tar- 
tarica. Under the middle window of the bay make a narrow bed 
for mignonette and heliotrope. At /, the Deutzia crmata alba and 
crenata rubra flore plena planted side by side so as to intermingle 
their growth ; at u, the lilac S. rothmagensis ; at w, the variegated- 
leaved tree-box ; at x, Spireas reevesi flore plena and callosa, together ; 
at y, the Weigela rosea. This completes a selection for this lawn- 
border. Different selections as good or better may doubtless be 
made by persons versed in such matters. While the evergreens 
recommended for the right-hand border are small, tall gay-blos- 
somed plants may be used to fill the bed. If the occupant desires 
a quick and showy return for his planting, the evergreen shrubs 
which we have named for this fence-border may be too slow in 
their growth to suit ; and the fine varieties of lilacs, honeysuckles, 
weigelas, deutzias, spireas, syringas, and snow-balls may be sub- 
stituted. 

The veranda that opens from the dining-room has some flowers 
at its base, vines on its posts, a lilac-bush at z on the right of the 
steps, and a compact hedge of Siberian arbor-vitaes on the left to 
screen the kitchen-yard from observation. The trees near the 
gate may in time be made to overarch it. The grape-trellis 
should finish with an arch over this entrance to the garden. The 



192 PLANS OF RESIDENCES 

tree r, in the garden, is an Irish juniper, which is so slender that 
its shade is not likely to injure the grape vines. 

We have considered these grounds too small to introduce any 
trees, not even fruit trees ; but of small fruits the garden may have 
a good supply. 

Plate XV. — There being no bed-room projection on the side 
of the house, the lawn is seven feet wider than on the preceding 
design. The house being a city basement plan, with a high porch, 
the entrance is designed with more architectural completeness. 
The street margin of the lot is supposed to stand twenty-one 
inches above the level of the sidewalk, with a stone wall all 
around, the coping of which is to have its upper side level with . 
the lawn next to it, and to be surmounted by a low iron fence. 
The front porch (designed for iron) is approached by three stone 
steps on the street line, landing on a stone platform 4x6. The 
ijide walls of the steps to the porch form vase pedestals. The 
walk to the basement is fourteen inches below the level of the 
lawn, and seven inches above the street sidewalk. At the angles 
of the basement area wall, the copings are squared for the recep- 
tion of vases. The rear walk, from the side street, rises by two 
steps on the street line, so that it will be below the level of the 
lawn for ten or fifteen feet from the gate. The ground should rise 
about one foot from the fence to the house. 

For the benefit of readers not very familiar with the study of 
house-plans, some explanation may be necessary to an understand- 
ing of the back-stair arrangement on this plan, which will be 
found quite simple and convenient. The dining-room being in 
the basement, broad stairs lead down to it from the main hall. 
Servants may come up these stairs from the basement, and go 
into the second story by the back stairs from the passage (which 
also opens into the library-room) without entering the hall or 
the living-rooms of the main floor. If it is considered essential 
to have a direct communication between the bed-room and the 
basement, a private stairway may be made from the closet, under 
the back stairway. 

The library is to have a glazed door (glazed low) to enter the 



Plaie XV: 




Seale 16 feet i inch 



AND GROUNDS. . 193 

side veranda. Through this a pretty perspective down the garden- 
walk will be seen. More space being devoted to lawn in the rear 
of this house than on the preceding plan, three cherry trees are 
introduced there. 

The best frontage for this place would be to the north, giving 
the open side of the house an eastern exposure. A front to the 
east or the south would not be objectionable, as the side lawn and 
lookout from the house would still be sunny ; but if the house were 
to front to the west, then the open side would be to the north — 
an uncheerful exposure, that ought to be avoided where possible. 

The verdant embellishment for the ground may be as follows : 
first, four vases filled with flowers, two by the side of the main 
steps, and tw^o on the area coping. - The former should be the 
more elegant forms. At a, is an Irish juniper (which should be set 
a foot or two farther from the walk) ; at <5, a group consisting of 
a Zz/ac rothamage?isis in the middle, and the double white and 
double pink-flowering deutzias on each side of it ; or of the Weigela 
amabalis in the centre, with the common tartarian bush honey- 
suckle on one side, and the pink-flowering deutzia on the other. 
These are expected to expand freely over the fence and sidewalk. 
At c, Sargent's hemlock ; at //, a weeping Norway spruce {invertd) ; 
at e, a dwarf white pine {compada) ; at /, the erect yew, Taxus 
ereda ; g, g, Parson's arbor-vitae and the golden yew ; at h, the 
weeping silver-fir, I'icea p. pendula ; at z, the Japan podocarpus, 
in the climate of Cincinnati, and the golden arbor-vitee farther 
north. At j, another weeping Norway spruce ; at k, the Cephalo- 
taxus fortunii niasciila nearest the street, and the weeping arbor-vitae 
on the side towards the house. At /, Nordmanns fir, Picea nord- 
maniana ; from / to <?, a screen of Sargent's hemlock ; m, weeping 
juniper, y. oblonga pendula ; n, Siberian arbor-vitae ; o, the pendu- 
lous ped-cedar, % virginiana pendula ; p, the weeping silver-fir ; 
q, the weeping Norway spruce, Abies e. inverta. A hemlock 
screen to be continued along the street line from q across the walk, 
so that the two trees nearest the gate may in time form an arch 
over it. At r, near the front of the house, may be the dwarf 
Hudson's Bay fir, Picea hudsofiica, or the low dwarf silver-fir, Picea 
pedinata compada, or the slender Irish juniper. The shrubs near 
13 



194 PLANS OF BE SIBENCES 

the house-wall may be low-growing roses, or rhododendrons alter- 
nated with the scarlet salvia among them. In the inner angles of the 
bay-window, if of brick, we would have the English ivy, or the 
Virginia creeper ; if of wood, then some rhododendron of medium 
height, and around them at_y and z, compact masses of the smallest 
sorts ; or one side may be more quickly filled with a single pink 
deutzia, and the other with a tartarian bush honeysuckle. The 
shrubs at the corner of the rear veranda may be the Chinese sub- 
evergreen honeysuckle on the post ; a Swedish juniper next to it ; 
and the erect yew, the golden yew, and the golden arbor-vits 
around the juniper. 

The materials for the flower-beds s, t, u, v, w, x, need not be 
specified in detail. 

The border back of the rear- walk represents currant bushes. 
It might better be a grape-trellis. 

Plate XVI. 

A large Mmision on an In- Lot of two hundred feet front iy three 
hundred and forty feet deep. 

This house is, in size, much above the average of suburban 
homes, and the area of the lot is sufficient to harmonize with the 
mansion-character of the house.* The arrangement of the drive- 
way is quite simple. The house being placed nearly in the middle 
of the width of the lot, and the stable, vegetable-garden, and 
orchard, occupying the rear third of the length of it, there is not an 
extent of lawn in proportion to the depth of the lot ; the ground 
design being in this respect inferior to that of Plate XI, where a 
lot forty feet shorter has a lawn much longer. The difference is 
mainly in the greater extent of the orchard, the vegetable-'^arden 
and the stable yard on the plan now under consideration ; and the 
different positions of the mansion and the stable on the respective 



* The vignette at the head of Chapter VI is from a drawing of this house, kindly furnished 
by the architect, R. W. Bunnell, Esq., of Bridgeport, Conn., but the grounds as there shown are 
not intended to illustrate this plan. 



Alley. 
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ANB GROUNDS. 195 

lots. The design of Plate XI is for a front to the east ; the house 
is therefore placed near the north side of the lot, the exposures of 
the principal rooms are to the east, south, and west, and the views 
out of them are made longer and nobler by thus crowding the 
house and all its utilitarian appendages towards that side. The 
present plan is suited to a lot having a frontage to the south, and 
the plan calls for an equally good exposure for the rooms on both 
sides of the house. The liberal space allowed for orchard, vegeta- 
ble-garden and stable-yard necessarily deprives the ground of the 
fine air that longer and broader stretches of unbroken lawn pro- 
duce ; but each of the principal rooms having exposures differing 
essentially from the others, the variety of views must atone for their 
want of extent. 

The carriage-entrances to this place are shown nearer to the 
corners than they should be. On so broad a front there should be 
twenty feet instead of ten, between the drive at the entrances and 
the nearest part of the adjacent lots. Premising this alteration to 
be made in the plan, the only change in the planting would be that 
the trees B, C, and I, J, shall be planted nearer together, and more 
nearly at right-angles, than parallel, with the front of the lot. The 
capital letters on the plan are used to designate the larger class of 
trees of a permanent character, and the small letters, the shrubs 
and very small trees. 

Though this is an in-lot, and generally margined by high fences 
and close plantations, one opening on each side has been left to 
give views across neighbor-lots which are supposed to warrant 
it. If the reader will follow on the plan we will select trees and 
shrubs as follows : on the left of the left-hand gate as we enter 
may be a weeping willow, midway between the drive and the ad- 
joining lot line, and ten feet from the front. The margin, b, b, is 
to be planted with a dense mass of fine common shrubs, or left 
more open, accordingly as the neighbor-lot at that point is pleas- 
ing or the reverse. B, is a golden willow ; and C, a weeping birch. 
All these trees grow with great rapidity. D, may be a weeping 
beech ; E, a group of three sassafras trees ; F (nearest the house), 
the Kolreuteria paniculata ; F (nearest the street), the purple-leaved 
sycamore maple ; G (northwest of the bed-room), the golden-leaved 



196 PLANS OF RESIDENCES 

sycamore maple ; H (though it is not so marked), we would pre- 
fer to make a pair of pines, the Austrian and the white, the former 
in the rear of the latter. The pine tree directly west of the bed- 
room may be either the white, Austrian, Bhotan, or Pyrenean, 
the two latter being the most interesting, but of uncertain lon- 
gevity. Beginning at the right-hand front entrance, J, K, may be 
Scotch weeping elms, and I, the Scamston elm. The shrubbery at 
and near the entrance is for effect during the first ten years after 
planting, and to be removed when the elms shadow that entrance 
sufficiently. At L, plant a Kolreiiteria pariiculata ; at M, the 
paulonia ; at N and O, weeping birches ;' at P, the Magnolia 
viachrophylla ; at Q, Nordmanns fir ; at R, a Magnolia tripetata ; 
at S, the weeping beech ; at T, a white or Austrian pine ; at U, a 
hemlock screen ; at V, a group of Norway spruces. The fruit trees 
on the plan may be known by their symbols. 

Of shrubbery and shrubby trees the middle group (unlettered) 
near the front is the most important, as it is visible from almost 
every point of view in and near the grounds. Measured on the 
curved line of its centre, it is fifty feet in length, and may be made 
an artistic miniature arboretum of choice things, either evergreens 
or deciduous ; but should be all one or the other, on its upper 
outline ; though the under-shrubs may be deciduous and evergreen 
mingled. In either case its arrangement should be planned, and 
its materials selected by a skillful g&rdener. It is impracticable, in 
the limits of this work, to present the working details for such 
groups on a scale that can be readily followed ; we therefore 
merely suggest that the centre should be made with something 
that will not exceed twenty feet in height at maturity, and the 
group should diminish in height at the sides, so that the points 
may be occupied by interesting dwarfs that may be overlooked by 
persons passing on the sidewalk. 

The shrubberies at a, and b, b, b, b, d, and e, are simply masses 
of the good old syringas, lilacs, honeysuckles, snow-balls, currants, 
altheas, and the newer weigelas, deutzias, spireas, and other shrubs, 
which may be arranged in a hundred different ways to give the 
foliage and forms of each a good setting. 

The small tree at c, may be the American red-bud or Judas tree, 



AND GROUNDS. 197 

Cercis canadejisis ; at f, Magnolia conspicua ; at g, Magnolia mach- 
rophylla; at h, a mass of hemlocks ; at /, a pair of weeping Japan 
sophoras ; and behind them the white-flowering dogwood, the 
broad-leaved euonymus, and the variegated-leaved elder ; at y, a 
Norway spruce in front of a hemlock hedge ; at k (near the front 
veranda), a dwarf white pine in the centre, the Hudson's Bay fir on 
one side, and the dwarf silver-fir, Picea pectinata compacta, on the 
other. While these are small, fill in between them with low com- 
pact rhododendrons. . At / and m, Austrian pines headed back 
from time to time to force a dense growth ; at n, n, n, a belt of 
hemlocks and arbor-vitaes ; o, Sargent's hemlock ; /, the weeping 
juniper, jf. oblonga pendula, or the Indian catalpa. The shrubbery 
adjoining the house on the east side may be composed largely of 
rhododendrons ; on the west side, of shrubs and bedding-plants 
that flourish in great light and heat. 

The rose-bed adjoining the front middle group may be omitted 
without detriment to the plan, and a smaller rose-bed made in the 
triangle formed by the intersecting branches of the carriage-road, 
where a vase is marked, for which a rose-post may be substituted. 
Besides the climbing roses to be planted one on each side of the 
post, there will be room in this triangle for three compact rose- 
bushes. 

The flower-beds and vases shown on the plan need no explana- 
tion to the intelligent reader. 

We desire to call the reader's attention to the fact that this 
house-plan, and the size and form of the lot, are precisely the same 
as in Plate XVII, following ; but the lots have different exposures, 
the houses are placed quite differently on them, and the ground 
designs are totally changed to suit the circumstances. A com- 
parison of the two is a good study. 



198 PLANS OF RESIDENCES 



Plate XVII. 

A lar^e Mansion occupyijig one end of a Block, with streets on three 
sides, and an alley on the fourth. 

Having already called the reader's attention to the identity of 
this house-plan with that of Plate XVI, and to the fact that the 
lots are of the same size and form, but otherwise differently cir- 
cumstanced, we will briefly sketch the peculiarities of this design. 
The lot is 200 x 340 feet. It is supposed to be desirable that the 
house should front on the street that occupies the long side of the 
lot. The house and stable conveniences occupy so much room, 
that if the house were thrown back to introduce a carriage-road to 
the front steps, it would be crowded close to the alley ; and even 
then the drive would be so short as to belittle the noble char- 
acter of the house and lot. The mansion is, therefore, placed 
so far towards the front that its entrance porch is but forty 
feet from the street ; a carriage-road to the front is dispensed 
with, and a broad straight foot-walk alone conducts to the front 
steps. The private carriage-entrance is by a straight road from 
the side street to the steps of the back veranda, and the coach- 
yard ; and the family can get into their vehicles there, or in 
front, at their option. For visitors, a landing on the side- 
walk is quite convenient enovigh to the front door for all ordinary 
occasions. 

It will be seen at a glance that the distribution and arrange- 
ment of the useful and the decorative parts of this plan are un- 
usually convenient and beautiful ; and that a place carried out in 
conformity to it would produce a more elegant effect, with the 
same materials and expense, than the plan of Plate XVI. This 
difference is not to be attributed to the greater street exposure of 
this plan, or to the different position of the house on the lot, which 
the surrounding streets necessitate ; but is principally the result 
of a more happy distribution of the several parts. It would be 
difficult to plan with greater economy in the use of space. But 
the form and exposure of the lot on the plate alluded to, will 



AND GROUNDS. 199 

permit of modifications in the arrangement of its parts that for 
some persons miglit prove improvements. 

To offset the greater length of carriage-road which the lot as 
planned on Plate XVI exhibits, this plan calls for a much greater 
length of foot-walks. In vegetable garden and orchard ground, the 
two plans are nearly equal. This one, however, lacks a stable- 
yard, that is shown in the former ; which may be provided, if 
needed, by placing the carriage-house directly in the rear of the 
residence, and enclosing a space between the former and the 
vegetable-garden. If this were done, however, it would be neces- 
sary to cut off a view of the coach-yard from the main hall looking 
through the back veranda. 

A peculiar arrangement of shrubbery will be observed in front 
of the house. The latter being close to the street, it is desirable 
to cover it from too close and continuous observation of the passer- 
by, as far as can be done without belittling the main entrance way, 
or crowding shrubbery close to the veranda. The walk opening, 
on the street line, is sixteen feet wide — the gate being in a bay. 
For this distance the entire front of the house, as well as charming 
vistas of the lawns on each side, are in full view ; and the im- 
pression of the place obtained here would be the finest. But 
passing either way, beyond this opening, along the sidewalk, the 
lower part of the house is entirely concealed by the two diverging 
masses of shrubbery, a, a, which, while they thus act as a partial 
screen of the veranda and lower windows, open out so as to leave 
a fine expanse in front of the house in lawn, vases, and flowers. 
Two horse-chestnut trees at the points of these groups will make 
an appropriate flanking for the front entrance. 

Though this plan may not be impracticable whatever the point 
of the compass its front faces, yet the most beautiful interior ef- 
fects — that is, as seen from the house, and within the grounds — 
■will be realized by a frontage to the north ; while the best effect 
as seen from the streets will be produced by a frontage to the 
south — either a north or south front being better for this plan than 
one to the east or west. 

The following is one selection of trees and shrubs for the 
place — the capital letters indicating the large trees, and the small 



200 PLANS OF RESIDENCES 

letters the inferior trees and shrubbery. A and B are the purple- 
leaved and the golden-leaved sycamore maples ; C, the weeping 
willow ; D, the weeping beech ; E and F, the common and the 
cut-leaved weeping birches ; G, the ginkgo or Salisburia tree ; H, 
the purple-leaved beech ; I, the Kolreuteria paniculata ; J, J, the 
red-flowering, and the double white-flowering horse-chestnuts ; 
K, K, a pair of pines in each place — the Bhotan {excelsa) and 
white pine in one, and the Bhotan and Austrian in the other — to 
be planted six feet apart, the Bhotan on the north side in both 
cases ; L, white pine ; M, Austrian pine ; on the right of N, the 
weeping Norway spruce ; and on the left, the Cembran pine, or 
(south of New York and near the sea) the cypress, Glypto-strobus 
sinensis; O, the white or the Austrian pine, as the soil maybe 
better for one or the other ; P, a mass and belt of hemlocks ; Q, a 
weeping Scotch elm ; R, the grape-leaved linden ; S, nearest the 
intersection of the walks, the sugar maple, and to the right of it- 
the purple-leaved sycamore maple ; T and V a mass of Austrian 
pines, with an undergrowth of hemlocks ; U, catalpa ; W, a pair 
of weeping Norway spruces, with hemlocks behind them ; X, the 
weeping silver-fir backed by hemlocks and flanked with a group 
of rhododendrons ; Y, a pair of pines, the white and the Pyrenean, 
six feet apart ; Z, the Austrian and the Bhotan pines, the same 
distance apart. 

Of the shrubbery we can indicate only the general character of 
the groups, and name specimens only when standing singly, or a 
few in a group. The masses a, a, may be shrubs of fine common 
sorts, the taller in the centre line of the group, and the margins 
filled in with rhododendrons; or may be composed entirely of 
evergreens, such as the arbor-vitass, yews, dwarf firs, junipers, and 
pines, with rhododendrons and azalias among them. The de- 
ciduous shrubs, however, would make a fine border in much less 
time, and at less expense than the latter. At b, a Weigela amabilis 
in the centre, and on each side the weigelas rosea and hortensia 
nivea ; at c, the two deutzias crenata alba and crenata rubra flore 
plena ; at d^ d, d, d, d, masses of common shrubs, not allowed to 
exceed seven feet in height, forced to make a dense mass at the 
bottom, and planted to form an irregular outline next to the lawn ; 



AND GROUNDS. 201 

at e, the oblong weeping juniper, _7. oMonga pendula ; f, 2i pair of 
weeping Japan sophoras grafted nine feet high, and planted ten 
feet apart ; g, the Chinese white magnolia ; h, a mass of rhododen- 
drons and purple magnolias; i, i, hemlock gateway arches — the 
hemlocks to form a dense screen for ten or fifteen feet on each side 
of the arch; y, the Hudson's Bay fir; k, the Magnolia machrophylla; 
/(adjoining the house), a mass of evergreens of dwarf character, 
including rhododendrons, kalmias, and azaliasj m and n, hemlock 
screens ; o, a mass of rhododendrons. The small group under the 
corners of the drawing-room bay-windows may be composed of the 
English or Irish ivys in the corners, and low varieties of rhododen- 
drons ; or, of brilliant bedding-plants alone. 

This place is large enough to make a conservatory a desirable 
feature. If wanted in connection with the house, by using the 
room marked P as a library -room, the room L (if that side of 
the house has an east exposure) would be an admirable place 
for it. If a distinct structure is preferred,, a good place would 
be on a line with the carriage-road, and ten feet from it, in the 
corner of the orchard nearest the house. 

The large flower-bed near L is intended for large bedding 
plants. The great rose-bed at the intersection of the walks on the 
right would require to be filled with uncommon skill to make it 
pleasing throughout the summer season, though it may be superbly 
beautiful in June, and interesting under ordinary treatment, with 
partial bloom, until frosts. In winter and early spring, however, it 
can hardly be otherwise than unsightly. A group for that place, 
of more continuous beauty, which will cost less labor in its main- 
tenance, may be composed of the following evergreens: — for the 
centre the weeping Norway spruce {inverta) ; around it the follow- 
ing, the positions for which must be determined by a study of their 
characters : the Sargent hemlock, Parson's dwarf hemlock, varie- 
gated-leaved tree-box, golden and weeping arbor-vitaes, the erect 
yew (erecta), the goldeii yew, the Cephalotaxiis fortunii mascula, the 
Podocarpus j'aponica, the creeping juniper [repens), the juniper 
repanda densa, the juniper oblonga pendula, the juniper spceroides, 
the Hudson's Bay fir hudsonica, and the dwarf firs, Picea pedinata 
compada and Abies gregoriana. 



202 PLANS OF BESIB E N C E S 

The group of large flower-beds opposite the Hbrary window, 
with a vase in the centre, should be filled with rather low flowers, 
and made as continuously brilliant as possible. Forming the fore- 
ground of a fine stretch of lawn beyond them, the view as seen 
from the main window of this room may be made quite elegant 
and park-like in its effect. 



Plate XVIII. 

Plan for a Residencs of Medium Size, with Stable and Carriage- 
house, Orchard, and Vegetable-garden, on a Corner-Lot 200x300 
feet. 

Here we have a house of moderate size on a lot which gives 
ample space around it, and which is provided with length of car- 
riage-road disproportioned to the size of the house. It is suited to 
the use of a small family, who entertain much company, and keep 
horses and carriages. 

The location of a large kitchen-garden in the southwest corner 
of the lot, where the lawn might be extended with fine effect, as in 
Plates XI and XIII, was made in order to place the orchard away 
from the side street, and the enterprise of bad boys. The vegeta- 
ble-garden offers few temptations for moonlight poachers over a 
street-fence, but an orchard in the same place is almost irresisti- 
ble. By interposing the kitchen-garden between it and the street, 
the fruit is safer. Were it not for this reason we would decidedly 
prefer to have the kitchen-garden back of the house, the orchard 
on the south side of the lot, and so arranged that the ground under 
the trees should appear to be a prolongation of the south lawn. 
The plan being made with reference to the protection of the 
orchard, sacrifices to this object Rule I, of Chapter XI — there being 
no length of lawn on the lot commensurate with its size. Yet 
the manner of grouping, in those portions of the lot which are in 
lawn, is such as to conceal this defect in a great degree from the 
eye of an observer in the street, or in the house ; though it is evi- 
dent enough on the paper plan. 



Plate XVni 




I 



30 40 50 Gn 



9«. IW fi 



ANB GROUNDS. 203 

We have alluded to the length of carriage-road on this lot as 
disproportioned to the size of the residence. This is so decided 
that we must consider the plan as an example of a fault to be 
avoided, rather than a plan to be followed. Not only the length 
of the drive is objectionable for a residence of this simple 
character, but also the corner entrance, which is usually the 
least convenient point for crossing the street-gutters and the 
side-walks. Plate X shows a much more sensible entrance and car- 
riage-way. 

In other respects this plan is better ; the grouping being such 
as would give very pleasing effects, whether looking towards the 
house or from it. On the south are several openings to the street, 
and on the north one only, connecting with private grounds on 
that side. 

Supposing the roads, walks, orchard, and garden to have been 
laid out as shown by the plan, the following trees and shrubs are 
suggested for some of the principal places. The lines conforming 
in part to the forms of the groups of shrubs are intended to show 
the form of beds to be enriched and prepared for them. 

The group at a, on the left of the corner entrance-way, to be 
composed of a weeping willow or a weeping Scotch elm in the 
centre, and the three best varieties of dogwood on the three points 
of the group ; — the bed to be filled, while these are growing, with 
spreading shrubs of low growth. The group, on the right of the 
same entrance, to have an American weeping elm in the centre, 
and at i, J, k, and /, the American and European Judas trees, the 
broad-leaved strawberry tree {Enonymus latifolius), and the dog- 
wood {Cornus floridd) ; and between them the syringas, weigelas, 
variegated elder, flowering currants, etc., etc. 

The trees at b and c may be the double-flowering white and the 
red-flowering horse-chestnuts ; between them and the fence a mass 
of large shrubs. At d, a weeping beech ; between it and the fence 
plant shrubs, to be removed when the beech needs all the space ; 
near the fence Siberian arbor-vitaes to form a concave hedge to, 
and across, (overarching) the side-entrance gate. At e, ten feet 
from both the walk and the drive, a pair of sassafras trees four feet 
apart, with an oval mass of low spreading shrubs — spireas, flower- 



204 PLANS OF RESIDENCES 

ing-currants, berberries, deutzias, red-twigged dogwoods, and honey- 
suckles around them. AXf, a choice selection of the most pleasing 
shrubs, either deciduous or evergreen ; of the latter an assortment 
of the best rhododendrons will make a superb group. At g, a 
Magnolia machrophylla ; h, nearest the house, the Kolreuteria 
paniculata; h, near the gate, the osage orange. At o, in the 
centre of the front, a purple beech ; at m and ;/, groups composed 
of the weeping Norway spruce {mverta) for the centres, and the 
golden arbor-vitse, and the erect yew {Taxus strida or erecta), the 
golden yew and the Podocarpus japonica, on opposite sides of them. 
If for this central space it is desired to make a quick mass of 
foliage in the place of these small groups, a weeping willow, or a 
group of two or three osage orange trees planted at <?, a group of 
deutzias at m^ and of weigelas or bush honeysuckles at ;/, will 
quickly effect it. At the left of the gateway on the right, a pair of 
pines, the white and Austrian ; / and q, the dwarf mountain pine 
(P. pumila) and the mugho pine {P. mugho) ; r, the dwarf white 
pine ; and between these, while small, plant evergreen shrubs. At 
s, is a belt of shrubs terminated by a pair of pines, the Austrian 
and the Bhotan. At t, a pair of weeping birches ; at tt, n, two 
pairs of trees, the purple-leaved and the gold-leaved sycamore- 
maples at one end, and the sugar and scarlet-maples at the other, 
each pair near together ; and between the trees, while they are 
young, a group of deciduous shrubbery. At v, a Magnolia soulan- 
geana ; at w, the weeping silver-fir {Picea pectinata pendula) ; along 
the boundary of the lot in the rear of w, a belt of hemlocks broken 
by an occasional spur of spruce or pine trees ; x, x, x, weeping 
arbor-vitaes, junipers, or other elegant slender evergreens ; and at 
z, another Magnolia machrophylla. On so large a place there will 
be room around the house, and in the various groups, and along 
the marginal belts of trees and shrubs, to introduce a hundred 
things which we have not named ; and a reference to the plate of 
symbols in connection with the ground-plan will explain what 
we have not touched upon. 



Plate XEX. 




AND GROUNDS. 205 



Plate XIX. 

Flan for a Residence of Medium Size on a Corner Lot 150 x 200 feet, 
with no provision for keeping a horse or carriage. 

This house-plan is the same as that on Plate XVIII, but the 
lot is only one-half the depth of that one, though the frontage is 
the same. The street on the longer side being supposed the most 
desirable to front upon, the division of the lot in lawn, fruit, and 
vegetable-garden, resembles, on a smaller scale, that of Plate 
XVII ; though on this the direct walk to the front door is dis- 
pensed with, and only the entrances at the two front corners- of the 
lot are used. This is rarely a desirable arrangement, but the ex- 
pression aimed at in the design of this lot is extreme openness and 
breadth of lawn, in proportion to the size of the lot. To dispense 
with a walk directly from the street to the front door increases this 
expression, but it is not essential to it. If the members of the 
family who occupy the house rarely use a carriage, it is not a 
matter of much importance to have a direct front walk ; especially 
if all the travel to and from the house is along the street, so that 
one corner gate or the other makes a nearer approach than a walk 
in the centre only. But if the family have often occasion to ride, 
the side-entrances will seem an awkward detour; and we would 
then by all means dispense with the walk which runs nearly 
parallel with the street, and have a broad straight walk to the 
front porch, and a smaller walk to the rear of the house, nearly 
as here represented. This would, of course, involve considerable 
changes in the plan for planting. 

An alley is supposed to bound the lot on the left ; a shed and 
cow-house* and small cow-yard are therefore represented in the 
rear corner on that side, and an arbor-vit£e hedge is to be planted 
inside the fence along the alley. Ten feet from the alley, and 



* The grass from the lawn, on such a place as this, if fed as cut, is more than enough to supply 
one cow with green food for seven months of the year ;— probably, together with the pail-feed from 
the house, enough to keep two cows. 



306 PLANS OF RE SIB 3 NCE S 

back of the front line of the house, is a row of four cherry trees, 
and two others are indicated on the rear part of the croquet-ground. 
Six standard pear trees, on the other side of the house, form a row 
parallel with a continuous grape-trellis which divides the lawn from 
the vegetable-garden. Some peach trees may be planted in the 
garden-square next the cow-house. The borders by the fences 
around the back of the lot furnish ample room for currants, rasp- 
berries, and blackberries. 

The decorative planting of the lawn-ground may be as follows : 
on each side of the gateway, at a, plant a group of pines, white, 
Austrian, and Bhotan, to be clipped when they begin to trespass 
on the walk, and to overarch it when large enough. The group on 
the left of the walk, directly in front of the same entrance, should 
be composed of shrubby evergreen trees or shrubs, diminishing to 
those of small size at the point. At b, the weeping silver-fir. At 
c, c, fifteen feet from the front corners of the house, a pair of either 
of the following species, of the varieties named : — of beeches, the 
purple-leaved and the fern-leaved ; of birches, the old weeping and 
the cut-leaved weeping ; of horse-chestnuts, the double-white and 
the red-flowering ; of lindens, the American basswood and the 
grape-leaved ; of magnolias, the machrophylla and the cordata ; of 
mountain ashes, the oak-leaved ; of maples, the purple-leaved 
and the gold-leaved sycamore ; of oaks, the scarlet {coccinea) on 
both sides ; of tulip trees (whitewood), there being no distinct 
varieties, the same on both sides, or a tulip tree on one side, and a 
virgilia or Magnolia cordata on the other. Our own choice among 
these would be of birches, maples, or horse-chestnuts. 

At d, the face of the hedge may be broken by a projecting group 
of yews and arbor-vit^s. At e, a group of rhododendrons. At/and 
g any one of the following deciduous species of small low trees, if 
grown with care and symmetry, viz.: the Indian catalpa {C. hivia- 
layensis) south of Philadelphia; the Chinese cypress {Glypto-stro- 
his sinensis) ; the silver-bell {Ilalesia tetraptera) ; the sassafras 
(although rather large for the place) ; the dwarf horse-chestnuts, 
Pavia coccinea, P. piimila pendula, and P. cornea superb a; the Euro- 
pean bird cherry, Prunus padiis ; the American white-flowering 
and the Cornelian cherry dogwoods, C. florida and C. mas ; the 



AND GROUNDS. 307 

American and the European Judas trees ; the magnolias, Chinese 
white {conspicua), and the showy-flowered {speciosd) ; the dwarf 
profuse-flowering mountain ash {nana floribimdd) ; the weeping 
Japan sophora ; the double scarlet-thorn [coccinea flore plena) ; 
the weeping larch ; the Kilmarnock willow ; the large-flowered 
rose-acacia {grandiflora), if trained and carefully supported when 
young ; the American and the broad-leaved strawberry trees ; the 
largest and most tree-like lilacs ; the purple-fringe ; the syringa, 
zeyheri ; and the new snow-ball or viburnum, V. machrophyllum, 
are all pleasing small trees, or tree-like shrubs, any two of which 
will be appropriate for these two places. Our preference among 
them would be the weeping Japan sophoras grafted from seven to 
eight feet high. If evergreens are desired for these two places, we 
would certainly select the weeping Norway spruce {invertd) and 
the weeping silver-fir. The small group h, should be made up of 
choice small evergreens, yews, arbor-vitaes, and dwarf firs. The pair 
of deciduous trees at i, on the right, may be a catalpa and a pau- 
lonia for places south of New York ; and northward, a pair of 
sassafras and a dogwood (C floridd), to make a group of three, or 
a pair of Kolreicteria pajiicidata only. The group y, on the upper 
side of the walk, is intended to be filled by an Austrian pine, sur- 
rounded by evergreen shrubs that will form a dense mass. At k, a 
Siberian arbor-vitse, with the erect yew, on one side, and the golden 
arbor-vitse on the other. At /, an Iri^h juniper. At m, a collec- 
tion of magnolias, beginning with the purple-magnolia nearest the 
house, next to it the Chinese white, then the M. soulangea?ia, and 
at n, the M. machrophylla, — all to be encouraged to branch as close 
to the ground as they will grow. At o, the arbor-vitae compada, 
or another purple magnolia. At /, the weeping beech ; at ^, a 
group of the following firs, beginning nearest the house with Nord- 
manns fir, next the Cephalonian, and last the Norway spruce. At 
r, another Magnolia machrophylla. At J", a Bhotan pine if on the 
north or east side, and an Austrian pine if on the south or west 
side of the house. The shrubbery adjoining the house may be 
composed of a great variety of common species ; but none that 
attain a height of more than six feet should be planted under or in 
front of windows where they might eventually obstruct the views. 



308 FLANS OF BE SIB ENCE S 



Plate XX. 

A Compact House, on an In-Lot of ninety-six feet front, with ample 
depth, and a Lawn connecting with adjoining neighbors. 

The main house is here 36 x 40, and the rear part 20 x 32 
feet. The front veranda is ten feet in width, and between it and 
the street the distance is ninety-six feet. The lot is one hundred 
and ninety-six feet in depth back to the grape-trelhs that divides 
the lawn from the garden, and is supposed to have ample room 
back of this for vegetables and small fruits. 

Whether or not the occupants of this place keep horse and car- 
riage, the front and sides of the lot are designed without any refer- 
ence to them. 

Floral embellishment is a prominent feature of this design, and 
this is nearly all in front of the house. The walk with two street- 
entrances encloses a circle seventy-two feet in diameter, on the 
margin of which the flower-beds are arranged, leaving the interior 
of the circle in lawn, unbroken save by a large low vase for flowers 
in the centre. Most of the interest of the place being thus between 
the house and the street, where exposure to passers on the street 
might annoy the occupants in the care and enjoyment of their 
flowers and plants, it is essential that this circle should be hidden 
from the street except at the gateways. The reader already knows 
that we have no sympathy with that churlish spirit which would 
shut a pleasing picture out of sight from the sheer love of exclu- 
sive possession ; but we have respect for that repugnance which 
most persons, and especially ladies, feel against a peering curiosity 
in their domestic enjoyments ; and as the care of one's flowers and 
trees is one of the sweetest of domestic labors, we would protect 
the privacy of working hours among them to an extent that may 
not degenerate into a selfish exclusiveness. In this plan, as en- 
graved, the mass of screening foliage is not as large as would be 
necessary, but the trees as there placed will form a sufficient pro- 
tection after ten years growth to insure a reasonable privacy for the 
floral lawn. It will be observed that this is not effected by a 




A 

Scale 8 inch- to I fool 



AND GBOUNDS. 209 

hedge on the street Hne, but on the contrary the lawn is open 
except at the entrances ; and one standing on the sidewalk at A, 
though barred from all view of the circle by the mass of evergreens 
opposite, may have pleasing glimpses into the place on the lines 
A B, A C, and across these corners into the adjoining lot lawns. 

The two front gateways should be overarched with evergreen 
topiary arches — one side with arbor-vit£e, and the other with hem- 
locks, firs, or pines, as the soil and exposure may make one or the 
other preferable. The glimpses into the grounds from under either 
of these arches will extend the whole length of the lawn back to 
the cold grape-house on the right, and from the left, back to the 
grape-trellis that separates the vegetable-garden from the lawn. 
A still longer vista may be made from the left-hand gateway by 
making a decorative arch in the grape-trellis at the end of the 
garden-walk which corresponds with the one at the end of the cold 
grape-house. 

The evergreen group in the middle of the lot near the street 
may be composed as follows : in the centre two Nordmanns firs, 
four feet apart, on a line at right angles with the street ; on each 
side of these a mass of hemlocks (say four on each side) for a 
distance of sixteen feet each way ; and at each point of the group 
single specimens of the weeping silver-fir and the weeping Norway 
spruce. This will make the group about forty feet from point to 
point, measuring from the stems of the last-named trees. 

The trees which arch the intersections of the entrance-walks 
with the circular-walk, may be double pairs of sassafras on one 
side, and one pair of kolreuterias on the other. At c, a weeping 
beech ; at g, the Chinese cypress ( Glypto-strobus sine7isis penduld) 
south of New York, and north of it a group composed of the weep- 
ing Norway spruce in the centre, and the following junipers around 
it: the y. repanda densa, y. oblonga pendula, % suecica nana, % 
spceroides ; or, instead of the junipers, the following dwarf firs, viz.: 
the Abies nigra ptimila, A. gregoriana, A. conica, A. canade?isis ifiverta 
(Sargent's hemlock), A. canadensis Parsoni (Parson's hemlock), the 
Picea pedinata compacta, and the Picea hudsonica. At d and h, the 
finest pines for which the soil and location are suited ; at e, the 
Magnolia cordata; at 7^ a group of evergreen shrubs next the fence, 
14 



310 PLANS OF B E SIDENCE S 

and a weeping silver-fir in. front of them, opposite the parlor bay- 
window. Two small trees are indicated in front of the corners of 
the veranda. If small trees are used in these places, they may be 
of species like the Magnolia machrophylla, the double white-flower- 
ing horse-chestnut, and the virgilia, which develop most beautifully 
when branching near the ground, or, like the weeping sophora, 
trailing to the ground ; but if large trees are chosen, they should 
be of sorts which lift their heads on clean stems, so that their 
lower branches will be above the line of view of persons standing 
on the floor of the house. 

At the point formed by the intersection of the sidewalk with 
the circular-walk there should be an interesting collection of ever- 
greens of very slender, or very dwarf character. Near the point, and 
two feet from both walks, plant the Abies excelsa pygmce ; three feet 
from both walks, and back of the former, the Picea pectinata compada; 
back of these, and equidistant between the walks, the Taxus ereda ; 
then, a little nearer to each walk than the latter, put in a golden 
arbor-vitae and a golden yew, so as to make the group in the form 
of a Y. If the proprietor prefers to have something new and 
striking in this location every year, instead of waiting patiently the 
interesting development of these dwarfs, this point will be an ap- 
propriate place for a skillful arrangement of showy-leaved bedding- 
plants ; but as there is ample space for these elsewhere, we would 
much prefer marking the intersection of the two walks with some 
permanent objects that may be seen in winter and summer, and 
Which, by living and growing year after year, will at length have 
associations and a little history of their own, and become monu- 
mental evidences of past labors. It is well always to mark the 
divergence of two walks by some permanent tree or group near the 
inner angle of intersection, and in the case under consideration, if 
the group of lilliputian evergreens should seem too insignificant and 
tardy in their development, or (being rarities) too expensive, we 
would plant some spreading tree at this intersection, and recom- 
mend for that purpose the weeping birch. 

From i andyj on opposite sides of the lot, the side fences 
should be bordered with evergreen shrubs as far as the back 
line of the main house, and thence to the garden may be covered 



AND GJt UNB S. 211 

with grape-vines or other small fruits, or with a continuous belt 
of common deciduous shrubs. Against the foundation-walls of the 
house we would plant a continuous line of varieties of the English 
ivy, even if they creep permanently no higher than the water-table. 
Up to that height they often make a shrubby mass of evergreen 
foliage, and form a pleasing back-ground for the finer shrubs that 
may be grown near the house in front of them. For a running 
vine on brick and stone walls, and for draping windows and cor- 
nices with foliage, the American ivy or Virginia creeper is greatly 
superior in this country to the English ivy. We can go no further 
in designating the shrubs to plant near the house-walls than to 
merely reiterate that they should be of those flowering and fragrant 
varieties which are usually full-foliaged, not apt to get bare of leaves 
at the bottom, and which do not exceed six feet in height ; in short, 
low, compact, or spreading shrubs. 

The fruit-tree features of this place are sufficiently designated 
by the symbols. 

There being a cold grape-house indicated, it is natural to sup- 
pose that flowers and bulbs may be forced in it, and that the 
care of these, together with grounds embellished with so many 
flowers, will involve the employment of a gardener; to whom, 
or to the lady of the house, we leave the selection of the flowers 
to be used in filling the beds on the margin of the circle, and 
the vase or basket in its centre. 



Plate XXI. 

A Plan for a Deep Front Yard, on an In-Lot one liundred feet wide, 
with the House on a terrace plateau; designed to harmonize 
architectural and gardenesque forms. 

This plan is a peculiar study in many respects. All the deco- 
rative portion of the grounds is in front of the house, and the 
depth from the street to the house-front is even greater in propor- 
tion to the width of the lot than in the preceding plan. The 
arrangement at the street-front is also more simple and more 



213 FLANS OF RESIDENCES 

formal ; for here we have a hedge close to the street line, a single 
entrance, and a long straight walk in the middle of the lot. To 
this extent the plan is simpler than the preceding one ; but on 
approaching the house the style becomes more ornate and costly. 
The house is elevated on a wide terrace, and the steps to reach 
the terrace-level are fifteen feet in front of the veranda. These 
steps should be of stone, not less than twelve inches wide, nor 
more than seven inches rise, and of a length equal to the width of 
the main walk. Low stone copings at the side of the steps expand 
at the top into square pedestals for vases, and thence are continued 
to meet the veranda. Such copings should, where practicable, be 
of some warm colored stone. It will be observed that the walk at 
the foot of these stone steps widens out into quite an area, and at 
this point the design varies by an easy transition from the formal 
to the graceful style ; the form of the front of the terrace conform- 
ing to the curves of the walks. The walks to the left and right 
diverge first by geometric curves, and then enter, by more path- 
like lines, dense masses of shrubbery, ending at seats embowered 
in foliage. From these, vistas open to the most pleasing features 
of the ground. 

The house is supposed to be designed in a half city-style, with 
a basement-kitchen, and all the principal windows in the front and 
rear only. The blank sidewalks, if of unpainted brick or stone, 
may be covered with the Virginia creeper, and on the side-ground 
back of the points shown on the plate, fruit trees may be planted. 
If the lot is three hundred feet deep, there will be room back of the 
house for the needful kitchen-yard and a pretty little vegetable- 
garden, or a stable and carriage-space ; but hardly for both. A lot 
of four hundred feet in depth would be more suitable for a house 
thrown back so far from the front street as this, unless space were 
obtained in the rear of the house by a latitudinal development of 
the lot in the rear of other lots. 

As the entire embellishment of this place lies in front of the 
house, and as its features are of that gardenesque character which 
presuppose a decided love of horticultural art in the occupants, 
and therefore the necessity of constant labors to be done near the 
street, some thorough protection of their privacy is essential ; and 



AND GROUNDS. 213 

we have here first introduced a hedge on the street Hne. The gate- 
way should be rather larger than is common on foot-walks, and 
covered with a carefully grown hemlock arch. The hedge may be 
of hemlock or of Siberian arbor-vitae, and not more than six feet 
in height. At a, a, it is designed to be hollowed by a concave cut 
on the sides and top, so that the latter will not be more than three 
and a half feet high in the middle. With this arrangement there 
will be three glimpses into the place from the street ; one under 
the gateway arch, and the others over the concave cuts in the 
hedge. The buttresses on the inside are intended to give variety 
in the line, and in the lights and shadows of the hedge. They are 
easily made with the hedge by placing two or three hedge-plants 
at right angles with the line of the hedge at the points where 
wanted. 

We have called attention in another place to a peculiarity of 
the arrangement of shrubs and trees on this place. There are three 
long lines of view, each of pre-eminent interest from the different 
points where each is likely to be most observed. First the walk- 
view, as seen from the gateway looking towards the house, or from 
the terrace steps looking towards the gateway; the second and 
third, on the lines between the bay-windows and the scollops in the 
front hedge, ranging the whole distance over an unbroken lawn 
elegantly margined on both sides with flowers, shrubs, and trees. 
If the reader will raise this plate nearly level with the eye, and 
glance along the lines indicated, he will appreciate better than we 
can explain what we have endeavored to accomplish in this plan. 
It is desirable, in order to achieve the best result of this arrange- 
ment, that the character of the foliage on the two sides of the lot 
should be so different as to give a distinct effect to the views out 
of the two bay-windows. In addition to these three prominent 
lines of view, charming long narrow vistas may be made to give 
interest to the seats at the ends of the walks. 

One selection of trees and shrubs for the most prominent places 
on this plan may be the following : 

Group I, on the left : at a, the weeping juniper {oblo7iga 
pendula) ; at b, the erect yew ( Taxiis eredd) ; at c, the golden 
yew {Taxus atired) ; at d, the weeping Indian juniper {J. 



214 PLANS OF RESIDENCES 

repanda densa) ; at e, the dwarf Swedish juniper i^J. suecica 
nana). 

Group I, on the right : at a, the Siberian arbor-vitae ; at b, 
Parson's arbor-vitae {Thuja ocddentalis compacta) ; at c, the 
Nootka Sound arbor-vitae {Thuja plicata) ; at d, the erect yew 
{Taxus erecta) ; and at e, the dwarf silver-fir {Ticea pectinata 
cotnpactd). 

Groups 2, 2, may be composed of evergreens as follows : at a, a, 
the mugho and mountain pines {F. mugho and P. piimila) ; at b and 
c, in one group, dwarf white pines {P. strobus conipadd) ; and on the 
other the Chinese yews, Cephalotaxus fortunii viascula and C. 
drupacce. Or, of deciduous shrubs, the group may be as follows : 
at a, on the left, the Weigela amabalis ; and at b and c, the deutzias 
crenata alba and crenata rubra flore plena. At a, on the right, the 
great-leaved snow-ball {Viburnum machrophyllicm) ; and at b and c, 
the red-tartarian honeysuckle and the lilac rothmagensis. 

Groups 3, 3, are for showy-leaved bedding-plants or roses ; 4, 4, 
may be filled with choice geraniums. 

Figures 5, 5, 5, 5, represent a pair each of Irish and Swedish 
junipers. 

Beds 6, 6, are for roses or showy annuals, perennials, and 
bulbous flowers ; 7, 7, and 9, 9, represent single plants remarka- 
ble for beautiful or showy foliage ; and 8, 8, are for brilliant low- 
blooming flowers. 

Figures 10, 10, on the left of the walk, may be, one the golden 
arbor- vitEe, and the other the Podocarpus japonica; or the rhododen- 
drons album elegans and gloriosum. If of deciduous shrubs, one the 
purple-leaved berberry, and the other Gordon's flowering-currant ; 
or, one the dwarf snow-ball ( Viburjium anglicu7?i), and the other 
the variegated Cornelian cherry or dogwood {Cornus mascula va- 
riegatd) \ or the Chinese purple and the Chinese red magnolias ; 
or the dwarf catalpas himalayensis and kce77ipfe?'i, or any other 
compact shrubs or dwarf trees of constant beauty of foliage and 
annual blossoms ; 10, 10, on the right, may be, one the weeping 
arbor-vitae, and the other the common tree-box. 

Figure 11, on the left, the Japan weeping sophora, or the Mag- 
nolia cordata ; 11, on the right, the Chinese cypi-ess {Glypto-strobus 







f} 



i-:,is( .sv /•■,•/•/ 



AND GROUNDS. 315 

sinensis pendula); 12, the Magnolia machrophylla; 13, a pair of 
Kolreuterias. 

Figure 14, wherever it occurs, suggests a weeping silver-fir 
{Picea pedinata pendida), a weeping Norway spruce {inverta), or 
some other evergreen of slender or peculiar habit; 15, 15, 'the 
golden yew and golden arbor-vitae ; 16, the weeping beech, or a 
pair of them J 17 and 18, rhododendrons along the walks, and ro- 
bust shrubs on the outside— either evergreen or deciduous'; 19, 19, 
19, hardy pines best suited to the locality ; 20, 20, 20, borders of 
the finest shrubs; 21, a heavy mass of evergreens not more than 
eight to twelve feet high, covering and concealing the slope of the 
terrace, with a brilliant flower-bed on its upper or terrace level ; 
22, 22, suggest large low basket forms for flowers; 23, 23, are 
circular beds for tall flowers. The pedestals at the top of the 
steps to the terrace should have elegant low vases appropriately 
filled with beautiful plants. 

The masses of dark-toned evergreens not numbered represent 
close plantations of hemlocks and Norway spruce, with such other 
evergreen trees as may best break the monotony of their colors. 



Plate XXII. 
Designs for Neighboring Homes with connecting Grounds. 

In the chapter on Neighboring Improvements we have en- 
deavored to call attention to the great advantage that improvers of 
small lots may gain by planting on some common plan, so that all 
the improvements of the fronts of adjoining lots may be arranged 
to allow each of the neighbors a view of the best features of all. 
This plate is intended to illustrate one of the simplest forms of such 
neighboring improvements. 

The houses themselves are such as proprietors often build in 
rows for the purpose of adding to the value, and increasing the sale 
of adjacent property ; but the connection of all the fronts into one 
long lawn is yet seldom practiced. The elegant effect, however, 
which this mode of improvement lends to places which, without it, 



216 PLANS OF RESIDENCES 

were small and cheap-looking, will add thousands of dollars to 
their saleable value. It gives a genteel air to the neighborhood 
that five times the expenditure in buildings would fail to produce, 
and serves by this fact alone to attract a class of refined people of 
small means, who might not find the common run of houses, of the 
cost of these, sufficiently attractive to induce them to select homes 
there. 

Though these five houses are quite similar in size and plan, an 
inspection of them will show that only Nos, 3 and 4 are alike. The 
others all differ in some respects; the corner houses especially 
being adapted to their superior locations and double fronts, and 
therefore needing to be somewhat more expensive. The main part 
of each is 25 x 38 feet, and the kitchen part 12 x 20, except on 
lot number one, where it is larger. There is an alley in the rear, 
upon which outbuildings are located. 

The essential feature of the planting on this neighborhood plan 
is this : that back of a line ten or twelve feet from the front street, to 
the foot-step of the porches, there shall be no shrub or tree planted on 
any of the fronts ; and only those species of flowers which do not 
exceed six to nine inches in height. This secures a belt of lawn 
varying from fifteen to forty feet in width, the entire length of the 
block, and leaves ample space on each lot for a good selection and 
arrangement of shrubs and flowers. The light dotted lines on the 
plan show the leading ranges of view over this common lawn. Of 
course only the lightest of wire fences are to be used between the 
lots, if any such divisions are required ; and none at all ought to 
be necessary. 

Lot I is entered from the side-street, under a gateway arbor. 
From this entrance the whole length of the block to B and E, 
two hundred and fifty feet, is a lawn, broken only by beds for low 
flowers, margined one side by the choicest groups of shrubbery, and 
on the other by the various architectural features of the steps, vases, 
porches, and verandas of the five houses, and their flowers and 
vines. Nothing can more Strikingly illustrate the advantage of such 
neighboring improvements than the view from this point, embrac- 
ing as it does, under one glance, all the beauty that may be created 
in the " front yards " of five distinct homes, all forming parts of a 



Plate XXm 




AND GROUNDS. 217 

single picture. Similar effects are obtained on entering the verdant 
gateway arch at E, on lot 5 ; and also from the side-streets at the 
points B and C. The shorter views, firom the porches and best 
windows of each house, are all made vastly more pleasing than 
would be possible on a single lot. The vignette of Chapter IV is 
a suppositional view from the porch (A) of the house-plan 2, look- 
ing towards B. 

From the front street, the in-look between the groups that border 
the front, is such as to make each place when opposite to it, appear 
to be the most important one. 

Only shrubs, or shrubby trees, are to be admitted on the fronts ; 
but on the sides, between the houses, cherry and pear trees may be 
planted. The flower-beds are all shown somewhat larger on these 
plans than they should be. 

The selections of shrubs, and their arrangement in the many 
groups adjacent to the front street, will require a thorough famili- 
arity with the characteristics of shrubs, and should therefore be done 
by an experienced gardener. Our plate is drawn on too small a 
scale to enable us to designate in detail the composition of all the 
groups and single specimens indicated on the plan, and as such 
groups of places must of necessity, at first, be all arranged under 
the direction of one gardener, it is not desirable that we should 
make a suppositional list of shrubs and trees for each lot. 



Plate XXIIL 

Three Residences occupying the end of a Block two hundred feet in 
width, on Lots two hujidred feet deep. 

Here the end of the block is supposed to have been divided 
into four lots, each 50 x 200 feet; the middle two lots being first 
occupied by a commodious double-house, and each of the side-lots 
subsequently improved with basement-kitchen houses, of half city, 
half suburban character, and the fronts of the three places kept by 
agreement for mutual advantage. 

The house on the left the reader may recognize as similar to 



318 PLANS OF RESIDENCES 

the one shown on Plate XV, on a lot of the same width ; but it is 
somewhat differently placed on the lot, and the ground arrangements 
are different in front and rear. One plan provides for a kitchen- 
garden, and the other for a fruit-yard only. It will be observed 
that this house, and the basement-house on the other corner, have 
blank walls adjoining the neighbor-lots, which are not built up 
to the line of the fence, but leave a space, one of five feet and the 
other of two feet, between the wall and the lot-line. This is almost 
useless for planting ; but we deem it essential to give the owner no 
excuse for that miserable shoddy architecture which constructs a 
cornice on one or two sides of a building, and leaves it off on sides 
that are equally conspicuous ; on the plea, sometimes, that the 
owner who has built up to his line has no right to build a cornice 
over his neighbor's property. Though these houses indicate con- 
tinuous blank walls on one side, they are not necessarily so, when 
this space is preserved ; and if the owner of the middle lot is a 
reasonable man, pleasant windows and out-looks may be made 
from the halls of both the outer houses, and from the bed-room of 
the house on the right. The arrangement of rooms in the upper 
stories is likely also to call for quite a number of windows over- 
looking the middle lot, and the fact of ownership of even a very 
little space in front of them will make it safer for the builder to 
plan them. If the occupants of the three lots are in friendly accord, 
the high division fences as shown back of the front lines of the 
houses, may be dispensed with back to the rear of the same. The 
blank walls can be covered with the Virginia creeper, and groups of 
shrubbery arranged at their base to better advantage than our plan 
shows; the plan supposing a concert of improvements only in 
front of the houses. 

The house on the right has the form and extent of an un- 
usually commodious and elegant town-house ; the main part being 
25 X 50 feet, and the rear 20 x 34. The front-entrance is quite 
peculiar, and, if designed by a good architect, will be an elegant 
and uncommon style of porch. There is a double object in making 
it of this form. It being desirable to have the entrance-gate at D, 
where persons passing in will at once have a vista the whole length 
of the side-yard to the back corner of the lot (as indicated by the 



Plaie'TOV 




-fLjLJi_ St^J'-.A~J>'.H^ 



2D 5 aO 20 30 40 50 60 70 60 90 lOoft. 

Im..i,.,.i I I I I I I I I I -I 



AND GROUNDS. 319 

dotted line), thus receiving a more favorable impression of the 
extent and beauty of the ground than if the gate-entrance were 
directly in front of the front door, this location of the gateway 
naturally suggests a side approach to the porch. But a porch of 
this form is of itself desirable in such a location, by permitting a 
heavy mass of shrubs to be planted directly in its front, leaving the 
lawn in front unbroken, and making the porch appear more distant 
and retired from the street than it would were the steps and walk 
directly in front of it, in the usual mode. It also makes a con- 
venient front-entrance to the basement at the side of the parlor 
bay-window. 

The grounds of this group of places are quite simple in the 
style of planting ; yet, if laid out as here indicated, the material's 
properly chosen and well kept, they would be noticeable for their 
elegance. The necessarily small scale on which these groups of 
houses and lots are planned, makes it impracticable to describe 
them in detail, especially with reference to the selections of shrubs 
and trees. 

Plate XXIV. 

Four Residences, occupying the end of a Block two hundred feet in 
width, 071 Lots one hundred and fifty feet deep, and representing 
widely different forms of Houses and Lots. 

We will here suppose that the two lots on the left, each sixty 
feet front, were first purchased and improved ; and the next twenty- 
five feet were then purchased by some one who cared little for 
grounds, and wished merely to provide himself a good town-house ; 
and then the remaining fifty-five feet of the block by some one who 
could afford a larger style of improvement, including a carriage- 
house and stable. Also, that numbers one and two having built 
their house-fronts about forty feet from the street, purchaser num- 
ber three has the good taste to put his front on the same line ; but 
number four having a much longer house is obliged to crowd 
forward of the line a little. It is pleasant to observe how, in this 
group of utterly unlike houses, the peculiarity of each adds to the 



220 PLANS OF RESIDENCES 

beauty of the others ; and all succeed, by a harmonious improve- 
ment of their grounds on a common plan, to realize a great deal of 
beauty for which each one pays but a small share. Suppose the 
city-house number three were placed twenty feet nearer the street, 
it would then destroy the opportunity for the fine lawn on the line 
A, B ; its blank side-walls would be marplots of the block on both 
sides ; and its front-porch and bay-window, which now have charm- 
ing outlooks in each direction, would then have little in view but 
the sidewalk and the street. By placing the house back on a line 
with the others, the owner has therefore made a great profit for 
himself, and conferred an equal one on his neighbors. Let him 
carry the same good sense a little farther. He has not cared to 
have much ground, but that strip twenty-five feet in width in front 
of his house must, in some way, be made creditable to the neigh- 
borhood. If it were filled with trees, shrubs, or flowers, these 
would destroy his grass-plat and outlooks, and his neighbors would 
have no considerable length of grassy ground ; it would be selfish, 
after securing pleasant views from his bay-window over his neigh- 
bors' improvements, to so plant his own lot that their views would 
be destroyed. We would therefore suggest to him not to plant a 
tree, or a shrub, in front of his steps ; but to place in the centre of 
the space in front of the bay-window a vase for flowers, of the most 
beautiful and substantial form that he can afford, and make it his 
"family pride " to see that the filling of the vase and of the small 
flower-beds in front and behind it is as perfect a piece of art as 
possible. The plain lawn surrounding them, and the absence of 
any attempt at rural effect in front of this city-house, will alone 
give it an air of distinguished simplicity, while these characteristics 
will make its lawn, and vase, and flowers, a harmonious part of the 
common improvement of the whole block-front. We thus see how 
the owner of the narrowest lot of the group holds, as it were, the 
key to the best improvement of the block, and by the use of gen- 
erous good sense, or the want of it, can consummate or mar the 
beauty of a whole neighborhood of grounds. 

On lot I, the house and grounds resemble those shown on 
Plate VI, though they are not identical. Besides the fruit trees 
in the back-yard it should have no other trees, except one of 



AND GROUNDS. 331 

small size as shown near the front corner of the veranda ; for which 
place we recommend the Magnolia machrophylla. The two small 
trees near the corners of the front bay-window, may be the catalpas 
himalayensis and koempferi ; and the isolated tree 'nearest the 
street, the white-flowered magnolia {cojispicua), or a single fine 
specimen of weigela, deutzia, lilac, viburnum, or honeysuckle. 
The gateway arch should be of hemlock, with evergreen under- 
shrubs near it. 

On lot 2, but two trees are shown in front of the house. These 
are twenty feet in front of the main house corners. Of rapid grow- 
ing deciduous trees for this place, none are better adapted than the 
weeping birches ; of those of slower growth, the double white-flowered 
horse-chestnut ; or of evergreens, the weeping Norway spruce and 
weeping silver-fir. The gateway arch should be made with hem- 
locks. 

Lot 4 has also two trees in front of the corners of the veranda. 
These being but eight feet from the latter, should be of some 
species which makes clean stems of sufficient height to carrj^ their 
branches over its roof, in order not to darken and obstruct the out- 
look from the veranda. For this the ginkgo tree, most of the 
birches, and the scarlet oak are well adapted. But if it is desired 
to have the veranda deeply shaded, and somewhat secluded by 
foliage in summer, then the magnolias soiilangeana or cordata, or 
almost any of the hard maples and horse-chestnuts, or the beeches 
and lindens, will do. We decidedly prefer deciduous trees to ever- 
greens, in places so near the pleasantest outlooks from the house 
as these trees are located ; for the reasons that their shadows are 
broader and more useful in summer, and by dropping their leaves 
in autumn, they relieve us in winter of a shade that would be 
needless and sombre. 



332 PLAJVS OF RESIDENCES 



Plate XXV. 

Two Suburban Houses with Stables and Gardens, on original Lots 
loo X 200 feet, illustrating a mode of entbellishjnent by the addi- 
tion of a Lot behind other Lots. 

The reader must imagine these two houses originally built on 
Tots of the same size as that of plan No. 2 of this plate, viz.: 
100 X 200 feet, having similar lots behind them, fronting on the 
side-street. 

The owner of the corner lot No. i, having it in his power, and 
desiring to enlarge his embellished grounds, buys the lot 100 x 200 
feet in the rear of the two lots, first occupied, and thus doubles the 
area of his ground. The carriage-house and stable which he may 
or may not have had before, can now be located on the part of the 
new lot in the rear of the stable on original lot No. 2. Around it, 
in the rear of the same lot, is ample room for the vegetable-garden, 
and a yard for the horse and cow. This leaves the entire length 
of the ground near the side-street clear for decorative improvement. 
The outside kitchen-door of the house on lot i is through the 
laundry W, where the paths connecting it with the stable and out- 
buildings are entirely disconnected from the pleasure-walks. The 
carriage-road which connects with the steps of the back veranda is 
for the use of the family and household friends only ; the street on 
the main front being the place for casual callers to alight. 

Had the house been originally designed for the lot as it now 
stands, it could doubtless have had its best rooms arranged to look 
out more directly on the best portions of the grounds. As it is, the 
parlor gets no part of the benefit of the enlargement of the place 
by the addition of the rear lot. But the dining-room D, by a wide 
window or low-glazed door opening upon the back veranda, com- 
mands a full view of the croquet and archery ground, and its sur- 
rounding embellishments ; and the family sitting-room S secures 
a similar view with a different fore-ground, by a bay-window pro- 
jected boldly towards the side-street for that purpose. The outlook 
from the unusually large parlor on this plan, depends mostly on the 



Plate XXV 



'i^Tp^- Jilcu-kierry £ Raspifrry border '^'ft^^ 




^?P 












1 If -^^^ 









J!*V1. 



jir?2 



AND GROUNDS. 223 

adjoining place for the fine open lawn that is in view from the bow- 
window ; but as the finest rooms of the house on lot 2 are equally 
dependent on the outlook across lot i for their pleasing views, it 
is not to be supposed that the occupants of either would wish to 
interrupt the advantageous exchange. The extreme openness of 
lawn on the front of both places, and the almost total absence of 
shrubbery on the front of No. i, is for the purpose of giving a gener- 
ous air to both, and to maintain all the advantages of reciprocity. 
It would be quite natural to suppose that No. i, which is an old 
place remodelled, had once had its front yard filled full of shrubs 
and trees, and that in the formation of the new lawn in the rear the 
shrubbery was mostly removed to make the lawn more open, and 
to stock the groups of the new plantation ; and then that the 
flower-beds were planned to relieve its plainness, without obstruct- 
ing the neighbor's views, as shrubs and trees might. 

The house on lot No. 2 is 40 x 44 feet, with a kitchen-wing 
18 X 24. Having the main entrance on the side, the carriage-way 
passes the door, on the way to the stable, without unnecessary detour ; 
and the best rooms of the house occupy the entire front. The house 
is considerably smaller than that on lot No. i, though all its rooms 
are of ample size ; the difference between the houses being in the 
stately parlor and bed-room on the first floor, which the house on 
lot No. I has, and the other has not. The sitting-room and parlor 
of the latter, however, opening together by sliding doors, will be 
fiilly equal in effect to the single parlor in the former plan ; and, in 
proportion to its size, the latter seems to us the best house-plan. 

The details of the planting on both places we can follow no 
further than the plate indicates them, without drawings on a larger 
scale to refer to. The fronts are simple and open to a degree that 
may be unsatisfactory to many persons — especially near the street- 
front of the corner lot ; but as that lot is supposed to be richly 
embellished with shrubbery in the pleasure-ground back of the 
carriage-entrance, we believe the marked simplicity of the front will 
tend to make the new portion of the place more interesting by the 
contrast which its plainness presents to the profusion of sylvan and 
floral embellishments of the pleasure-ground proper. 



224 FLANS OF RESIDENCES 



Plate XXVI. 

A Village Block of Stores and Jiesidences, illustrating a mode of 
bringing Grounds back of Alleys into connection, for Decorative 
Purposes, with the Residences on the Village Street. 

We desire to call the reader's attention to this elaborate study 
of an unusual mode of securing to homes on contracted village lots 
the delightful appendage of charming little pleasure grounds. 

The business of small villages usually clusters on one street, 
and sometimes occupies but a few stores near "the corners;" and 
it is a common practice of thrifty and prudent village merchants to 
have the residence on the same lot with the store, or on an 
adjoining lot. As the village increases, the lots near the leading 
merchant's are those earliest occupied by good improvements, in 
stores or residences. Our plate shows a village or suburban block 
of two hundred feet front on the principal street, with lots one 
hundred and fifty feet deep to an alley. 

Let us suppose that Mr. Smith, the wealthiest business man of 
the vicinage, has purchased the one hundred feet front on the right, 
and erected two fine stores on the corner (one of which he occupies), 
and a dwelling-house on the balance of the lot. While beginning 
to amass wealth he was doubtless occupying a much smaller store 
and house, and has erected these large improvements when his 
means enabled him to move with considerable strength. Let us 
further suppose that on the completion of this fine residence, a 
couple of well-to-do citizens buy two adjoining lots of twenty-five 
feet front each and put up a pair of city houses ; and that the 
corner fifty feet, on the left, is then improved as shown on the plate. 

Mr. Smith, and those who have built after him, have all been 
intent on getting themselves good houses, and have not had either 
the leisure or the taste to give much thought to grounds for embel- 
lishment. With a business exacting all his time, and a young family 
to provide for, the business man has looked forward to a new store 
or a new house as the ultima thiile of his ambition. But when these 
are acquired, and larger means and more leisure and observation of 



Pldle XXVI 




Store . 



o 10 Iff ■ 30 HO iO bo 70 80 90 iOofi. 

East Street. 



AND GROUNDS. 225 

the results of culture and wealth in other places open his eyes to 
other refined objects of expenditure, he cannot but see, living as he 
does in the centre of a farming country, with open fields and 
pleasant shade-trees only a few squares away, how he has cramped 
his house, like a prisoner, between the walls of his stores and his 
new neighbors, and has not even play-room for his children. But 
the fine house is built and cannot be abandoned. The neighbors, 
with fine, but smaller city-houses, are in the same predicament. 
They are all persons in good business, with (we will suppose) the 
average taste of tolerably educated people for a certain degree of 
elegance outside as well as inside their houses. 

We have represented the entire fronts of the lots as bounded 
by a low stone-wall and coping, making the grounds four steps 
(twenty-eight inches) above the level of the sidewalks, and the main 
floors of the houses five steps more, so that the basement-kitchens 
for which all the houses are planned will be mostly above the level 
of the ground. In addition to a fine low iron fence on the stone 
coping, and some elegant vases in the centre of each of the front 
spaces between the walks, and the vines on the porches and ve- 
randa, the three places nearest the store can have little more done 
to them to make them attractive homes exteriorly. The back-yard 
of the double-house has room for a little decoration, and as the 
wall next to the alley has an east exposure, it is a good place for a 
cold grape-house, and is used accordingly. The rear arcade and bay- 
windows of the library and dining-rooms now have a pleasant look- 
out on a pretty bit of grass-plat, dotted with a vase and a few beds 
for low flowers ; the grapery bounding the view in front, and a 
square rose-covered arbor marking the intersections of the walks 
on two sides of the fruit and vegetable square, behind the store- 
yards. The other neighbors follow suit with cold grape-houses 
along the alley ; the one on the extreme left improving on the 
others by adding a decorative gable-entrance fronting the main 
street, and forming a pleasing termination to the view of the side- 
yard as seen from the front. These four places now have about all 
the out-door comforts and beauties that the lots are capable of; 
but after all they are city houses, on cramped city lots. The 
pleasures incident to the care of these bits of lawn, the filling of the 
15 



326 PLANS OF RESIDENCES 

vases, and the management of the vines and plants in the grape- 
houses, all have a tendency to beget a craving for more room ; for 
similar pleasures and more beautiful creations on a larger scale. 
Mr. Smith, the owner of the stores and the double-house, has been 
obliged to buy the lot back of the alley (loo x 185 feet) to get 
room for his stable, vehicle, and man-servant. Not being in a 
street where property is used for business, or popular for residences, 
he buys it for a small part of what lots on the east street are worth; 
and the lot is first used for a horse and cow pasture, or run-ground, 
in connection with the stable. Now let us suppose Mr. Smith is 
one of those good specimens of business-men whose refined tastes 
develop as their means increase, and that he longs, and that his 
good family seconds the longing, for those lovely stretches of lawn 
flecked with shadows of trees, margined with shrubberies, and 
sparkling with flowers, that some friend's acre has enabled him to 
display ; that the family envy the possession of fine croquet grounds 
where children, youth, and old people are alike merry in the open 
summer air witli the excitement of the battles of the balls ; that 
they desire some better place than the street to air the little chil- 
dren, and to stroll with family familiarity on fair summer days, and 
evenings, and sociable Sundays. 

To obtain all these pleasant features of a home without going 
into the country, or exchanging the home in the heart of the village 
for a new one farther off, or giving up the convenient proximity to 
his business which Mr. Smith has always enjoyed, we propose to 
tunnel the alley, and to convert the cow-pasture-lot into a little 
pleasure-ground, as shown on the plan. This project, however, pre- 
supposes that the soil is naturally so gravelly as to be self-draining, 
so that water might never rest in the tunnel, or else that drainage 
for the bottom of the tunnel can be eflected by a sewer in the alley 
beneath it, or not far off". 

It may be asked — "why tunnel rather than bridge the alley?" 
The reasons are conclusive in favor of the tunnel. A bridge over 
the alley must be high enough to allow a load of hay to pass under. 
The great height would make it a laborious ascent and descent. 
In going from one piece of embellished ground to the other it is 
precisely to avoid the sight of the alley that we want bridge or 



AND GROUNDS. 237 

tunnel. But by mounting a bridge, although we thus secure clean 
footing at all times, which might not be the case in crossing on the 
ground, the alley would be more entirely in sight than if one were 
to cross it in the usual way ; and (if the bridge were uninclosed) 
persons making use of it would be targets for the eyes of the 
neighborhood. If inclosed and roofed, its height would make it 
absurdly conspicuous, expensive, and liable to be carried off by 
winds. Whether used or not, it would stand obtrusively in sight 
from all directions, without the excuse for its conspicuousness which 
attaches to a wind-mill, which, to be useful, must stand on tip-toe to 
catch each wandering breeze. 

The tunnel, on the other hand, is unobtrusive, out of sight of all 
but those who use it, private, and a cool summer retreat. It forms, 
when properly constructed, a novel contrast and foil to the sunny 
garden to which it is designed to introduce the passer. Descend- 
ing into its vaulted shade, the view on emerging into a sunny 
pleasure-ground is made doubly charming by the contrast. Its 
sides should be recessed for seats, which in the hottest days of 
summer will have a delightful coolness, and in winter form good 
places for storing half-hardy box plants, bulbs, and small trees. 
One needs but call to mind the charming tunnels for foot-paths in 
the New York Central Park to imagine the beauty that may be 
given to even such small tunnels as the ones here recommended. 

If well constructed, such tunnels cannot be done cheaply. But 
in a case like the one under consideration, where the owner of a 
fine place must either sell out and improve elsewhere, or else 
devise some mode of utilizing the lots across the alley, the expense 
of a tunnel and its appropriate adjuncts, will be very small com- 
pared with the sacrifices that would be necessary to secure the 
same benefits by removal. 

The construction of such a tunnel and its approaches requires 
the employment of a very good architect. To enable the reader to 
have a better idea of the plan, as indicated on our plate, we will 
give some explanations in detail. Nine feet below the surface of 
this alley is supposed to be deep enough for the floor of the tunnel. 
Seven feet clear will be high enough for the inside passage, Avhich 
will leave enough earth over the top of a brick arch to protect it ; 



228 PLANS OF RESIDENCES 

and six feet will be a sufficient clear width inside. For an alley 
fifteen feet wide, the arch should be eighteen feet long. The steps 
down to it, and their flanking walls, would make a length of ten to 
fifteen feet more on each side — depending on the manner of the 
descent, and the nature of the superincumbent improvements — and 
likely in any case to make the entire excavation upwards of forty 
feet in length, including the slopes for the steps. The side-walls 
throughout should be double or hollow walls ; the inner one of 
brick, nicely pointed, the outer one of stone, and both made water- 
tight with water-lime cement. The arch over the tunnel proper 
should be made with great care to render it perfectly water-tight 
also ; and if the entire filling above the arch, and on the outside of 
the side-walls, is made with good gravel, broken stone, or coarse 
sand, so as to let all surface water soak down directly to the drain 
below the floor of the tunnel, there will be little liability to excessive 
dampness or dripping water in the tunnel. The arch for the main 
tunnel on this plan is to have the springing points five feet from 
the floor, and to be that segment of a circle which will make the 
centre seven feet high. For stairs, broad solid stone steps are of 
course the best in the long run, but some expense for such Avork 
may be saved by having the slope down to the tunnel floored with 
a smooth water-lime cement, and a flight of plank steps put in, 
supported at the ends only, and high enough above the sloping 
cement floor to allow the latter to be readily brushed and kept 
clean under the plank steps. These, having the air circulating 
freely all around them, will not be liable to quick decay. 

In the plan under consideration, the walk leading directly from 
the rear arcade of the double-house to the grape-house is to de- 
scend gradually for about twenty feet, so that at the front line of the 
latter it will be two feet below the general surface, and a step on 
the same line will drop eight inches more to a stone landing, from 
which four steps up on each side lead to the two sides of the grape- 
house, and ten steps down, to the floor of the tunnel. On the side 
towards the mansion, the inclosed porch and roof of the entrance 
to the tunnel being made in the construction of the grape-house, 
cannot be considered a part of the cost of the former, but the flank- 
ing walls, the steps, the tunnel itself, and the necessary covered 



AND GROUNDS. 329 

porch over the exit from the tunnel on the farther side of the alley, 
altogether involve a considerable expenditure. The whole could 
probably be done in a plain style for about one thousand dollars, in- 
cluding a handsome inclosed porch on the upper side, but not 
including the pavilion shown on the left of it, which is a separate 
affair ; though the two may be made together as one construction. 

This pavilion will certainly be a desirable feature after the 
pleasure-ground has become sufficiently complete to make a view 
over it pleasing. It should have a solid wall on the alley side. 
The floor is raised five feet above the lawn, and the space beneath 
(with a floor a foot or two below the lawn and a window on the 
alley) may be used as the gardener's work-room. Fronting to the 
west as here shown, the pavilion will be a pleasant place for mem- 
bers of the family to retire on warm summer evenings after tea to 
observe the warm lights on the trees, the lengthening shadows on 
the lawn, and all the glories of our American sunsets. Or, if a 
darker seat in the summer-house in the far corner of the lot be 
preferred, the light of the sun upon the arches and other features 
of the pavilion will make a bright addition to the beauty of the 
view towards it. 

Before describing the pleasure-ground upon which the proposed 
tunnel from the double-house opens, we wish to call attention to 
what new ambitions the spirit of emulation is likely to produce in 
the owners of the two city houses on the twenty-five feet lots adjoin- 
ing. They are much worse off for yard-room than Mr. Smith ever 
was, and his successful use of the rear lot by means of the tunnel 
suggests to them the purchase of the equal sized remaining lot back 
of their own improvements. Both want it, and they compromise by 
buying it together, with a view of joining in the expense of a tunnel- 
entrance to it. It will be seen that we have arranged for them a 
double-tunnel with passages four feet in width. 

The new lot must be partitioned between them, so as to give 
each an equal area, and an equal value. This is done in a peculiar 
way in order to make the form and consequent effect of the im- 
provements on each lot as different from the other as practicable. 
Each owner has entrance to his own tunnel through his grape- 
house, and the exit porches on the opposite side open upon lawns 



230 PLANS OF RESIDENCES 

and pleasure walks that can quickly be made interesting. In 
connection with the double exit porch we have drawn buildings 
for hired men, including workshops and tool-rooms of the same 
width, under a roof supposed to be a continuation of the pavilion- 
structure on Mr. Smith's lot. Many persons who employ men- 
servants object to lodging them in their residences. As rooms 
for them may be provided more cheaply in connection with the 
building of this tunnel porch than if built separately, we have 
introduced them ; but they are not essential to the plan. 

We will now sketch the general features of the planting for the 
first described lot back of the alley. It must be borne in mind, to 
begin with, that this lot, loo x 185 feet, is a small area upon which 
to place all the structures and gardenesque embellishments that the 
ground-plan indicates ; and being surrounded by a high wall or 
fence to insure its absolute seclusion, its lawn-surface will be still 
further lessened by the belts of trees and shrubs that must be planted 
inside the walls to relieve their monotony. This limited area can 
be planted so as to avoid inelegant crowding only by a selection of 
trees of secondary size, and a very judicious choice of shrubs. 
But when such walled grounds are successfully treated, there is 
an expression of sniigness and elegant privacy about them that the 
ladies are apt to speak of as "delicious." Those who have passed 
through dark houses on some of the narrow streets of old Paris, 
and emerged suddenly in great gardens behind them, which one 
could hardly imagine there was vacant room for within a mile of 
the place ; or those who have been equally surprised and delighted 
with the brilliant gardens behind the dismal street-walls of Spanish 
American cities, can appreciate fully how charming such grounds 
as these may be made, and how the mere novelty of such a tunnel- 
entrance to a walled garden will give it a special charm. 

We have not hitherto called attention to the path from the 
kitchen (under the dining-room) directly to and across the alley, 
to the carriage-house and stable. Between this path and the exit- 
porch of the tunnel, the space is to be filled with a pme tree and a 
dense growth of hemlocks, and an impervious screen of the latter is 
to be continued along the right-hand side of the path issuing from 
the tunnel ; — to be grown to a height that will conceal the stable 



AND GROUNDS. 231 

buildings from view as one passes along by the side of them. The 
path connecting the stable and the main path, should open from the 
latter under a narrow hemlock-arch. The group of evergreens on 
the left of the exit from the tunnel must be those which do not 
exceed seven feet in height, or which may readily be kept down to 
that height, and not interfere with the view from the arcade ; — say 
a pair of Sargent's hemlock, next to the arcade, the Cephalotaxus 
fortunii masciila next ; the golden arbor- vitae in front of that ; and 
a bed of flowers diminished to a point as shown on the plan. 

At the divergence of the main paths a really elegant flower-vase 
should be placed ; it being the first object that will engage the 
eye on emerging from the tunnel. Behind it a rose-bed is shown. 
Perhaps a fine evergreen would be better there, say the weeping 
silver-fir, on a line with the centre of the tunnel and the vase. 

Following the main path to the right, there should be masses 
of strong-growing shrubs between it and the stable, to prevent the 
latter from being noticeable in passing. A mass of shrubs eight 
feet high, within two yards of the walk, will conceal an object 
twenty-four feet high, twenty-four feet from the walk. Of course 
all parts of this stable-building should be well finished, as it must 
be seen from nearly every part of the pleasure-ground, but if the 
upper parts of it — the roof-lines, cornices and upper windows — are 
properly designed, a view of them over the shrubs and among the 
tops of the environing trees will improve, rather than injure, the 
expression of the place. The three sunny sides' of the building are 
also to be covered with the foliage of grape-vines. In addition 
to the needful shrubbery to conceal this building from too close 
inspection, the corner of the lot in its rear is to be stocked with 
cherry and pear trees. Where the walk turns toward the left, leaving 
the fruit-tree group, a mass of fine shrubs borders the walk on both 
sides ; then for a short distance the lawn opens on the right to a 
grape-espalier, and a group of the finest rhododendrons in front of 
it ; on the left, at a, is a pair of Kolreuterias, and beyond them 
another group of rhododendrons and azalias. We here come in 
sight of the summer-house in the corner, with its flanking of hem- 
locks and bright little flower-beds, and a vase opposite the walk 
from it. The view of the grounds from this point is intended to 



232 PLANS OF RESIDENCES 

be the best. Passing along to the left, the tree marked b, is in- 
tended for the weeping beech ; beyond, the walks form a circle 
for a grand mass of bedding-plants, in a bay of evergreens. The 
tree c, may be the Magnolia machrophylla ; at d, a pair consisting 
of a sassafras and a white-flowering dogwood ; opposite to them a 
group of three pines, the Bhotan, Austrian, and white. On the 
right (returning towards the tunnel), the wall between the pines is 
to be screened by a collection of small evergreens. As they will 
have only a north exposure until their tops are higher than the 
division fences, a hemlock hedge close to the fence, with a formal 
collection of rhododendrons and evergreen dwarfs in front of it, 
will be best there. The pine tree at the last turn of the walk is 
intended for the dwarf white {compacta) ; or, a weeping Japan 
sophora would be well placed there. 

The suppositional plantings of the other lots back of the alley 
we must leave to the reader ; except to mention that the long wall 
which divides the place just described from its neighbor, offers on 
its south side too good an opportunity for a grape-border to be 
lost. We have therefore used its entire length for that purpose. 

The reader will hardly fail to notice that the corner place on 
the left, which originally had double the width of lot of its next 
neighbors, and that too on a corner where bay-windows, and 
ground well improved on the side, gave it many advantages in point 
of beauty and comfort, has now no pleasure-ground that deserves 
the name compared with those which have been secured by means 
of the tunnel, in connection with the houses on the twenty-five 
feet lots. 



AND GROUNDS. 233 



Plate XXVII, A and B. 

Two Plans for Residences and Grounds on Lots having acute Angles 
formed by equally important Streets. 

These are common forms of town and suburban lots, which 
puzzle improvers as to how to front the house, to plan it, and 
to place the outbuildings, and lay out the ground so that the im- 
provements shall look well, and the connections be the most con- 
venient from both streets. 

The two ground-plans here given show different modes of front- 
ing a house that is nearly the same in plan on both, on the same 
lot; the different frontages involving a totally different style of 
laying out in each case, and some variations in the kitchen part 
of the house-plans. 

The lots are one hundred and fifty feet on each of the shorter 
sides, and would be three hundred feet in length on the longest 
side if extended to a sharp point ; this makes them equal in area 
to a parallelogram 150 x 225 feet; a trifle more than three-quarters 
of an acre. 

The carriage-house and road are of similar character in both 
plans, and enter from the same street. In other respects the ground- 
plans differ widely, and yet have some points of resemblance which 
the form of the boundaries renders essential. Both have been de- 
signed with care to make them valuable studies for those who have 
similar lots to improve. Design B has a considerable length of 
pleasure-walks which may be dispensed with, without marring the 
design for planting ; and design A shows no walks on the pleasure- 
ground proper, though a walk could be laid out around the lawn 
above the house, if thought desirable, without changing the plan of 
its planting. The dotted lines on design B represent some of the 
open lines of view to and from the principal windows of the house, 
from the streets, and from one part to another of the grounds. 

The extremely small scale of the drawings make it impractica- 
ble to give details for planting. 



234 PLANS OF. RESIDENCES 

Plate XXVIII. 
Plans for two Triangular Corner Lots opposite each other. 

The upper of these two lots is larger than those of Plate 
XXVII, and contains an acre and a half, but is of precisely the 
same form, and supposed to be differently circumstanced in the 
character of the street on its longest side ; which, though used for 
the carriage-entrance A, and one foot-path entrance b, is not of 
sufficient importance to make it desirable to leave openings in the 
shrubbery on that side for views from the street to the house. The 
residence is more mansion-like than those on the plate referred 
to, and its carriage-entrance has a much more stately character. 
The large turn-way in front of the main entrance is larger than 
necessary for a turn-way merely, in order to make a broader green 
directly in front of the main entrance, and to give room for a grove 
of fine trees with which it is to be shaded. The walk from the 
front street at c, with the one before mentioned at b, and the kitchen 
entrance-gate at d, give the most convenient access from the streets 
to the house from whichever direction one comes, and leave a large 
area between c and ^, unbroken by walks, which the plan shows to 
be carefully and elegantly improved ; while to the right of the walk 
from c, a heavy mass of shrubbery forms a boundary between the 
pleasure-ground proper, and a considerable orchard, kitchen grass- 
plat, and vegetable-ground. The triangular space between the 
walk-entrance b, and the carriage-entrance A, should be filled with 
evergreens — say a Norway spruce in the centre and hemlocks 
around it. Between a and d is room for masses of some of the 
noblest shrubs. The small scale of the drawing here again for- 
bids a further detailed enumeration of the materials for the plan- 
tation. 

The lower plan is essentially different in its conditions and 
treatment from the three that have been noticed, though it resembles 
plan B, of Plate XXVII in its frontage, if that plan were turned 
upside down. But on this plan we suppose the lot to be little 
more than a mere triangle — turning the corner on the left only 



Pla1e3XVIll 




L-^ V-:aaA^'agte:Mr. Ai^ms* ^a^!fei^%^ayt 



' ' • ' J. 



AND GROUNDS. 235 

forty feet, just far enough to include a row of fruit trees and a 
private entrance to the stable and carriage-house on that side by 
a straight road to it. It will be observed that the kitchen, carriage- 
house, and stable are joined, and turned into the corner of the lot 
in the most compact arrangement possible ; and that the entire 
house-plan (the main part of which is 33 x 50 feet) is a model of 
compactness, convenience, and good connections with the several 
parts of the ground. The latter also affords a rare study of the 
elegant effect that may be produced on only two-thirds of an acre 
by skillful arrangement of buildings and plantings, and the aban- 
donment of a vegetable-garden. 

In most respects this plan if well studied will explain itself; but 
there are two inconspicuous features on this drawing which the 
observer may fail to catch the meaning of First, the point where 
the long walk to the kitchen diverges from the one leading to the 
front, shows what appears like a large tree over it. This is in- 
tended to represent five trees (the trunks of which are shown 
by light dots on the engraving) planted in the form of a pentagon, 
for the purpose of making an umbrage of the character of some of 
those described in Chapter XIV. Where the hawthorns flourish 
we would make the collection of them alone, including among them 
the new thorn (not a true hawthorn), Coccinea Jlore plena. But the 
group may be well composed of many other small species of trees — 
taking care that when more than one species or variety is used 
all shall be of similar size and form, in order to make a con- 
gruous mass when grown. Second, at a point opposite the parlor 
bay-window a round flower-bed is shown, backed by dense ever- 
green foliage. On each side of this flower-bed a pair of small trees 
are indicated, connected by light lines. These are intended for 
hemlock arches of fanciful forms, to give interest to the place by 
their own novelty, and the pretty effect of vistas through them. 
The commonest bit of lawn with a glimpse of bright flowers, when 
seen through such arch-frames, often has a pretty effect that is quite 
remarkable considering the meagre materials that produce it. 



236 FLANS OF RESIDENCES 



Plate XXIX. 

A first-class Suburban Residence and Plantation on a Corner Lot of 
300 X 540/^^/, containing 2,YQ^ acres. 

This is one of those elegant places that requires a large income 
for its maintenance, and which most Americans who have little 
idea of the breadth of view that the name park implies, are apt to 
speak of as a private park. It is by no means a park, but it is a 
generous pleasure-ground for a retired citizen, with all the elegant 
appliances that wealth makes practicable. There is room enough 
here to indulge in a great variety of trees and shrubs without 
crowding the lawn. The latter opens generously upon the public 
highway in front, and connects on the right with a supposed good 
neighbor. The entrance-drive is simple in its character, and from 
the point A, the visitor in entering would command vistas the entire 
length of the lot over the lawn in front ; and at the right, a view of 
the elaborate flower-garden that forms the principal feature of 
interest opposite the parlor bay-window. The plan directly violates 
one rule that is generally desirable to observe in the arrangement 
of trees, viz. : to plant so as to make the house the centre of the 
picture from the most prominent or most natural points of view. 
But on this plan the trees in front, and near the front of the house, 
when well grown, will effectually hide it from the entrance at A, 
and leave but partial views open from the highway to the east side 
of the house ; while from all other points along the street towards 
which it fronts, it will be completely shut off by trees. This has 
been done for the following reason. On so large a lot it would 
savor of selfish exclusiveness not to have the lawn open generously 
to the street. But many families have a strong desire for a con- 
siderable degree of privacy in their front veranda and porch. As 
in this case they front to the south, not only their free use, unob- 
served from the street, but their comfort in the face of so much 
gravelled road, requires a mass of trees to shut off too open a view 
from the street, and to render the veranda and porch comfortable 
in hot weather by their cooling shadows. It being desirable for 



Plate XXK. 




I 1 I I I I I I I I l..,.4^ 

• N 

SoiLiK . w t E Street 

■ s 



AND GROUNDS. 237 

these reasons to violate the usual rule, it is better to do it entirely 
than by halves ; and by inviting the eye, in entering, away from 
the front to other views around the house, the latter when seen, 
as it can be to great advantage from the pavilion and from 
several points in the pleasure-walk in the rear part of the lawn, 
will (if in itself pleasing) add the more to the attractions of these 
walks. 

In concluding this series of designs, we cannot forbear to call 
attention again to the great advantage that a neighborhood of 
homes on deep lots, with narrow fronts, has over one of equal 
population covering an equal area in lots of less depth and more 
frontage. Narrow frontages enable a community to keep up fine 
walks and fences in their fronts with less expense to each 
owner, and thus to add the comforts of city streets to the 
rural pleasures that await those who court them in the grounds 
behind the gate. Depth of lots suggests a deep space between the 
houses and the street, which, by neighborly agreement, opening 
from one home to another in continuous lawn, and planted with 
trees and shrubs for the common benefit of all, becomes a broader 
expanse of embellished ground than is attainable where shallow 
lots force proprietors to place their residences closer to the 
street line. Nothing is lost by having the rear part of one's lot, 
which is necessarily divided by high fences, or walls, from 
the neighbors, in a long and narrow, rather than a shallow or 
squarer form. A space forty feet in width, and one hundred and 
twenty feet in depth behind the house, is more useful for 
planting, and for domestic purposes, than an area seventy feet 
square, though the latter is somewhat the largest. The specu- 
lative habit of cutting up suburban lands into narrow city lots 
25 X loo feet, or but little more, destroys all chance of making true 
suburban improvements. Such lots will only sell to citizens who 
are either too poor, too cockneyish, or too ignorant of their own 
needs, to insist on something more ; and cannot be managed so as 
to attract that class of cultivated and intelligent people who want 
rurally suburban homes, and not city houses and city habits on 
the margin of the country. 




CHAPTER XVI. 



THE RENOVATION OF OLD PLACES. 



WHATEVER objection may be urged against buying 
and renovating old houses, will not apply to the 
purchase of ground stocked with old trees and 
shrubs. Many a rickety, neglected place, is filled 
with choice old materials, which, with small expenditures in clear- 
ing away the superfluities, and polishing the lawn, will group at 
once into pleasing pictures. Such neglected places may be com- 
pared with a head of luxuriant hair all uncombed and disorderl)^, 
which needs but to be clean and arranged with taste to become 
a crown of beauty to the wearer. 

Old yards are generally filled with mature trees of choice 
species, but so huddled together, and filled in with lank neglected 
shrubs and tangled grass, that one observes only the shiftlessness 
and disorder, and turns with greater pleasure to look upon a 
polished lawn with not a tree upon it : — as in music a single note 
given purely and clearly is more pleasing than the greatest variety 
of sounds making discords together. But a week's work among 



THE RENOVATION OF OLD PLACES. 239 

these medleys of trees and shrubs — the bold cutting or digging-out 
of the poorest trees, the re-arrangement of the shrubbery, so that 
the sunlight may play with the shadows of those that remain, upon 
some open breadth of velvety grass — and there will stand revealed 
a mass of beautiful home adornments that the place bare of large 
trees and mature shrubs will envy. Sometimes old fruit-trees that 
have had an air habitually expressive of hard times and low living, 
with a little pruning, and extra feeding, and the well-to-do air that 
a new green lawn-carpet gives them, will assume a new dress of 
foliage, and wear it with such luxuriant grace that they become the 
most pleasing of trees — scarcely recognizable as the same which so 
lately wore a dejected air. 

In renovating old grounds that are filled with mature trees and 
shrubs, the first thing to be decided on is the amount of clean 
cutting-out to be done ; — what had better be entirely removed in 
order that something better may be developed. " Trimming-up," 
instead of cutting-out, is the common error of persons ignorant of 
the arts of sylvan picture-making; an error invariably defended 
with the potent plea of — "/don't believe in cutting down shade 
trees." It is the semblance of a good reason, and the best excuse 
that can be given for ignorance in an art which can only be taught 
by example to those who are not born with landscape mirrors 
in their hearts. It is only necessary, however, to show a dense 
grove of high-trimmed trees on one side, and then a similar grove 
one-third of which has been cut away to make clear openings of 
sunny lawn through it, and give the remaining trees room to spread 
their bending boughs to meet the grass, to feel the difference be- 
tween art that mars, and art that reveals natural beauty. 

Yet in regard to "trimming-up" there may be occasions for 
some exceptional treatment. Noble growths of evergreens grow- 
ing to the ground sometimes fill the grounds of a small place, 
obstructing the views over the lawn to a serious extent ; what they 
conceal being a more important part of the beauty that may be 
developed than is their own beauty. To destroy the trees may 
leave too great a void ; to leave them as they are is to retain the 
gloomy expression that results from lack of sunny lawn and bright 
vistas zmder the boughs of trees. In such cases we would trim 



240 



THE RE NO VATIDN OF OLD PLACES. 







Fig. 44. up old fir trees just high enough 

to give a clear view of the lawn 
under them, as shown by Fig. 44. 
The reader will observe that a 
glimpse of quite an extent of lawn 
is suggested under the branches 
of this tree. If, however, the 
branches rested upon the ground, 
the landscape vista would be 
effectually shut out. The advan- 
tage of this mode of treatment is 
principally on small grounds, for, 
were there space enough to secure 
ample lawn-views without it, we would by no means recomm.end 
this mode of securing them. 

In choosing which to cut out, and which to retain, let it be 
observed that a large tree of an inferior sort may be better worth 
preserving than a small or thin specimen of varieties that are 
otherwise superior. There is no more disagreeable impertinence 
to the cultivated eye than the growth of slender starved saplings 
planted under the branches of large trees, and striving to get to 
the sun and sky by thrusting themselves between the limbs of their 
superiors. As between a sugar-maple and a black oak, for in- 
stance, the former is by far the most beautiful and desirable species 
in all respects ; but, if you have a well branched large tree of the 
latter and only young sapling maples, we would sacrifice the sap- 
lings of the better breed for the mature beauty of the inferior oak. 
There is a dignity in big trunks, and loftiness, for which the pretti- 
ness of young trees is an unsatisfactory substitute. 

Everybody has heard of the countryman who went to see a city 
but " could not see the town, there were so many houses ! " His 
quaint speech ludicrously suggests the main fault of most old 
places ; the multiplicity of their trees and shrubs conceal each 
other, so that they have little beauty either singly or in the mass ; 
and they are rarely so arranged as to make the home they surround 
the centre of a sylvan picture. Wherever there are large trees 
there must be proportional breadths of unbroken lawn — open spaces 



THE RENOVATION OF OLD PLACES. 241 

from which the trees can be seen, or their beauty is of no avail. 
A dense forest around a home suggests the rudeness of pioneer 
Hfe, not the refinement of culture. Forests breed timber, not 
sylvan beauty. It is the pasture-field, the park, and the brook- 
space, that give sun and scope and moisture to develop the sylvan 
pictures that painters love. Therefore in renovating over-grown 
places, bear in mind that the cutting away of some of your old 
trees may be necessary to reveal and improve the beauty of the 
others. 

Another and different fault of many old places, resulting from 
the effort of uneducated planters to avoid the error of over-crowd- 
ing trees and shrubs, is that of distributing them sparsely but 
pretty evenly all over the place. This is destructive of all picture- 
like effects, for it gives neither fine groups, nor open lawn ; and even 
the single trees, however fine they may be, cannot be seen to 
advantage, because there are no openings large enough to see them 
from. This must be remedied by clearing out in some places and 
filling-in in others. 

There is one value in the possession of thrifty saplings of sorts 
not especially desirable, that few persons know, and which is very 
rarely made use of. We refer to their usefulness as stocks upon 
which to graft finer varieties, and by the greater strength of their 
well-established roots producing a growth of the inserted sorts 
much more luxuriant and showy than could be obtained in twice 
the time by fresh plantings. The black oak is not worth preserv- 
ing, unless of large size, but it can be readily grafted with the 
scarlet oak. White oaks in superfluous number may be grafted 
with the rare weeping oaks of England, or the Japan purple oak, or 
some of the peculiar varieties oi the Turkey oak. The common 
chestnut {castanea) may be grafted with ornamental varieties of the 
Spanish chestnut ; the common horse-chestnut or buckeye with a 
number of beautiful and singular varieties ; the common " thorn 
apple " of the woods with exquisite varieties of the English haw- 
thorns ; and the same with maples, elms, and all those trees of which 
grafts of novel varieties of the same species may be procured. 
Scions of rare varieties may be procured at our leading nurseries, 

or by sending through our seedsmen or nurserymen to England or 
i6 



242 THE RENOVATION OF OLD PLACES. 

France for them ; for which purpose appKcation should of course 
be made as early as mid-winter. These suggestions about using 
trees to graft upon, apply only to young trees. Large ones should 
not have their nobler proportions marred by such work. 

Old apple-trees are not appreciated as they should be. No 
tree of its size has a grander spread. Their horizontal branches 
often have the majesty of small park-oaks. This look of low 
breadth and strength is expressive of its domestic character, and 
makes it peculiarly appropriate in proximity to residences of mod- 
erate size and cottage character. Few trees are in leaf earlier ; 
none are more fragrant or beautiful in bloom ; none bend with such 
a ruddy glow of useful fruit. The fall of immature fruit is an objec- 
tion to all fruit trees on lawns. If the proprietor is not tidy enough 
to have his lawn always close mowed under them, and all insect- 
bitten fruit and windfalls picked or raked up as soon as they drop, 
then he does not deserve to have trees that are at the same time 
beautiful and useful.* These remarks apply especially to full- 
grown trees. It is only after the apple-tree is from thirty to forty 
years old that it attains a noble expression, and its best character- 
istics, like those of the oak and chestnut, are developed in its 
old age. 

Apple or other low branching trees that have become decrepit 
from age or insects, can be turned to pleasing use by cutting off 
their branches several feet from the main trunks and training vines 
over them. The pipe-vine or birthwort {Aristolochia sipho), with 
its luxuriant mass of large heart-shape leaves, makes a superb show 
on supports of this kind. Almost any of our twining or creeping 
vines are beautiful enough in such places, and few more so than 
the common hop ; but running roses, though often used in this way, 
are the least suitable. Trees whose tops are not sound enough to 
be thus used, may often be sawed off from one to three feet 
above the ground, and used for bases of rustic flower-vases or 



* We protest against doing violence to old apple-trees by cutting them to pieces to graft 
them with better ones. The beauty of a broad old tree is worth more than the additional value 
of grafted fruit will ever be. One cannot see an old apple-tree near a house thus marred, with- 
out thinking that the owner is either beauty-blind, or so penurious that he grudges the old tree 
its room upon the lawn unless he can make it pay ground-rent. 



Plate xsn Forms for Plosc Beds 



, [J"i^'i 




Fig. 5 



Fig 8 



Fig.n 



I ' -^ ^ ! •' 

Scale %^iiic'h=to oneioot. 



THE RENOVATION OF OLD PLACES. 343 

baskets ; provided they stand in places where it is appropriate to 
have flower-vases. 

Old shrubs of any of the standard species, if of large size, even 
though unshapely, may often be turned to good account in the 
places where they stand, by using them as centres for groups of 
smaller shrubs. Sometimes their very irregularity of outline will 
make them picturesque objects to stand conspicuously alone on the 
lawn. Often a shrub of noble size has been hid by inferior shrubs 
and trees crowding it, which may all be removed to bring it into 
full relief. The beauty of full and well grown single specimens of 
our most common shrubs is as little known as though they were 
the most recent introductions from Japan. Not one American in 
a thousand, even among those most observant of sylvan forms, has 
ever seen a perfectly grown bush-honeysuckle, lilac, snow-ball, or 
syringa, though every suburban home in the land is filled with 
them. Growing either in crowded clumps, or under trees, or in 
poor uncultivated sodden soil, we have learned to love them merely 
for their lavish beauty of bloom, and have not yet learned what 
breadth and grace of foliage they develop when allowed to spread 
from the beginning, on an open lawn. 

There are no worse misplantings in most old grounds than old 
rose-bushes, whose annual sprouts play hide-and-seek with the 
rank grass they shelter — roses which the occupants from time im- 
memorial have remembered gratefully for their June bloom, till 
their sweetness and beauty have become associated with the 
tangled grass they grow in. There is no reason for having a lawn 
broken by such plants. Rose-bushes do better for occasional trans- 
plantings, and their bloom and foliage is always finer in cultivated, 
than in grassy ground. Mass them where they can be cultivated 
and enriched together. Plate XXXI shows many forms for rose- 
beds, and by using care in keeping the strongest growers nearest 
the centre, varieties enough may be displayed in one snug bed to 
spoil a quarter-acre lawn planted in the old way — " wherever there 
is a good open space" — precisely the space that should not be 
broken by anything, least of all by such straggling growers as 

roses. 

Do not be in haste to decide where the shrubs you dig up shall 



244 TBE RENOVATION OF OLD PLACES. 

be planted again. When the air and sun have been let in to the 
roots and tops of the best large trees and shrubs, and the lawn is 
completed about them, it may be that the effect of your lawn, and 
the trees that shadow it, will be nobler it you omit altogether all 
the smaller shrubs. Large trees and shrubs are robbed of half 
their beauty if they have not a fair expanse of unbroken lawn 
around them. 

Vines on Old Trees, — Some evergreens, the balsam-fir for 
instance, and the hemlock when it is old, become gloomy-looking 
trees. The blapk oak and red oak have also a similar expression, 
though entirely different in form. If such trees stand where more 
cheerful and elegant trees are needed, the desired improvement 
may be made by enriching the ground near their trunks, and plant- 
ing at their base, on both sides, such vines as the Chinese wistaria 
and the trumpet-creeper, which will cover them to their summits in 
a few years with a mass of graceful spray and luxuriant leafage.* 
The Chinese wistaria is probably better adapted to cover lofty 
trees than other climbers, but the trumpet-creeper, Virginia-creep- 
er, the native varieties of the clematis, and the Japan and Chinese 
honeysuckles, may all be used. The wild grape-vine is admirable 
for filling up trees of thin and straggling growth, such as the oaks 
before named. The hardy grape, known as the Clinton, is well 
adapted to this use, while very good wine can be made of its 
fruit. Perhaps no flowering vine excels it in luxuriance of foliage- 
drapery, but its prolific fruitage renders it necessary to bestow a 
good deal of time in gathering the clusters scattered among the 
branches of a lofty tree. There is no question that the value of 
the fruit will far more than pay for the labor, but unless picked 
clean every year it may disfigure both the tree and the lawn. 
Whether the birds will insure against any damage of this kind we 
have not had the means of learning. 



* An exquisite example of the effect of such planting is an old hemlock at " Cottage Place," 
Germantown, Pa. The tree is three feet in diameter and eighty feet high. At a little distance it 
cannot be recognized as a hemlock, so completely is its lofty summit crowned with a magnificent 
drapery of the waving foliage of the Chinese wistaria. A root of the wistaria was planted on each 
side of the trunk. Their stems are now from six to eight inches in diameter. 



THE RENOVATION OF OLD PLACES. 245 

In conclusion, it may be safely said that new places rarely 
afford a skillful planter such opportunities for making quick and 
beautiful eifects at small cost as old places of similar extent. Our 
town suburbs would in a half dozen years be more beautiful than 
most persons can conceive possible, even without the addition of 
a single new home, provided all the old homes could feel the rejiovat- 
ing hands of true artists in home-grounds, and be kept up in the 
same spirit The metamorphosis of such places, from cluttered 
aggregations of superfluities, to gleaming lawns, smilingly intro- 
ducing the beholder to beautiful trees and flowers that luxuriate in 
the new-made space and sun around them, is too great not to in- 
spire those who have profited by the change to preserve the beauty 
that may so easily be brought to light. 

Old Houses. — Old places which have houses "just good enough 
not to move off or tear down," are greatly undervalued by most 
purchasers. It is not quite in the scope of this work to put in a 
plea for old houses, but we must confess to a very loving partiality 
for them when tastefully renovated. No one, however, but an 
architect who is known to have a tasteful faculty for such adapta- 
tions should be employed to direct the work.* There is a thought- 
less prejudice in the minds of most Americans against all things 
which are not span-new ; and we have met men of such ludicrous 
depravity of taste in this respect, as to cut down fine old trees in 
order to have room to plant some pert and meagre little nurslings 
of their own buying ! Although houses do not grow great by age, 
like trees, yet, where strongly built at first, and afterwards well 
occupied, they acquire certain quaint expressions which are the 
very aroma of pleasing homes ; which nothing but age can give a 
home ; and this beauty of some old houses should be as lovingly 
preserved as that of the aged apple, maple, or elm trees around 
them. 



* The attention of the reader is commended to Vaux' " Villas and Cottages," page 205, for 
some valuable remarks on this subject 




A 



FLOWERS AND BEDDING PLANTS, AND THEIR SETTINGS, 



We are the sweet flowers 

Bom of sunny showers, 
(Think whene'er you see us, what our beauty saith), 

Utterance mute and bright, 

Of some unknown dehght. 
We fill the air with pleasure by our simple breath: 

All who see us, love us ; 

We befit our places ; 
Unto sorrow we give smiles, imto graces — races. 

See (and scorn all duller 

Taste) how heaven loves color ; 
How great Nature clearly joys in red and green ; 

What sweet thoughts she thinks. 

Of violets and pinks. 
And a thousand flushing hues made solely to be seen ; 

See her whited lilies 

Chill the silver showers. 
And what a red mouth is her rose, the woman of her flowers. 
Chorus of Flowers, Leigh Hunt. 



S all vegetable productions, from the greatest trees to the 
minute mosses, are equally flowering plants, it is to be 
understood that the subject of flowers, as here treated, 
is limited to observations on annuals, perennials, and 



bedding plants. 



FLOWERS AND BEDDING PLANTS, 347 

Considering such flowers as the finishing decorations of a 
home, as accessory embellishments rather than principal features, 
it is desired to suggest the places where they may be put with the 
best efiect rather than to give descriptions of even a small number 
of their almost innumerable variety. The immense collections of 
our leading seedsmen, and their beautifully illustrated catalogues, 
give a bewildering sense of the folly of attempting to know, much 
less to grow, a hundredth part of those which are reputed desira- 
ble ; and they also force upon us the wise reflection that the good 
growth and skilful arrangement of a few species only, will produce 
effects quite as pleasing as can be attained with the greatest 
variety. 

Annuals, perennials, and bedding plants are used in three 
tolerably distinct modes, viz. : First, in narrow beds bordering a 
straight walk to a main entrance, or skirting the main walk of a 
kitchen-garden. Second, in a variety of beds of more or less 
symmetrical patterns, grouped to form a flower-garden or parterre, 
to be an object of interest independent of its surroundings. 
Third, as adjuncts and embellishments of a lawn, of groups of 
shrubs, of walks and window views, to be planted with reference to 
their effect in connection with other things. 

On large and expensively kept grounds all these styles may be 
maintained in appropriate places respectively. But on small 
lots the first or the last mode should be adopted, though some- 
times both may be desirable. 

The simplest and rudest mode of planting in the first style, is 
to border a walk closely with a continuous bed from two to four 
feet wide, filled with flowering plants of all sizes and shapes and 
periods of bloom, — here overhanging the walk with unkempt growth, 
like weeds, there leaving a broad barren spot where spring-flowers 
have bloomed and withered. Fortunately this mode is becoming 
less common, and the pretty setting of a margin of well-cut grass 
is better appreciated than formerly. 

Flower-beds cut in the grass have a more pleasing effect than 
when bordered by gravel-walks. When made as marginal embel- 
lishments of straight walks, they should rarely be cut nearer than 
two feet from the side of the walk if they are of much length 



248 FLOWERS AND B E D B I N O PLANTS, 

parallel with it ; but where the openings between the beds are 
frequent, or the beds are in circles or squares with their points 
to the walk, one foot of grass between their nearest points and the 
walk will answer. Narrow beds of formal outlines or geometric 
forms of a simple character, are preferable to irregular ones. All 
complicated " curlecue " forms should be avoided. Plate XXX 
shows a variety of shapes for flower-beds on straight walks. Such 
beds must, of course, be proportioned in size and form to the 
dimensions of the lawn in which they are cut. They should never 
be planted where there is not a space of open lawn back of them 
equal at least in average width to the distance across the walk 
from one bed to another. . Being close to the eyes of all those who 
use the walks, they must be planted and kept with a care that is 
less essential in beds seen from a greater distance. This style of 
cultivation necessitates far more labor than the third, which we 
have adopted in most of the plans for suburban lots. To keep a 
great number of small beds filled through the summer with low 
blooming flowers, and their edges well cut, is expensive ; and, if 
they are also planned so that the grass strips between them must 
be cut with a sickle, few gentlemen of moderate means will long 
have the patience to keep them with the nice care essential to their 
good effect. 

The border-beds shown on Plate XXX, are all arranged 
so that a rolling lawn-cutter may be used easily by hand be- 
tween them. These plans are especially adapted to places with 
straight main walks, where the gentleman or lady of the house is 
an enthusiastic florist. Walk No. i shows a row of round beds 
from two to three feet in diameter on each side ; the alternate 
circles to be filled with bushy single plants from one and a half to 
two feet high, and the others with low bedding flowers that do not 
exceed six inches in height. Nos. 2, 3, and 4 are narrow strips, 
and circles or squares alternated. Such slender evergreens as the 
Irish juniper, clipped tree-box, and some of the many dwarf firs, 
may be used with good effect in some of these circles, but must 
not be too frequent. The beds at the sides of Avalks 5 and 6, 
require more lawn-room on each side, and will look best filled, 
each, with a single color of the lowest bedding-plants. The 



Plate XXX. 



S> <$ 



N?! Walk 



N?2 



€Zl> 



€213) 



CEIS> ^ CS> 



Walk 



€23 © CESS O €ZS3> 



5. A^alk 



Walk 



e 



8. Walt 



o 



o 



^ 



^^' 



JO . Walk 



11 



o 



o 



AND THEIR SETTINGS. 249 

same remark will apply to the beds on walks 8 and ii. Walks 7 
and 10 have larger beds suitable for filling with plants of different 
colors and heights. The former is intended to be bordered, 
between the beds, with square boxes filled with plants from the 
conservatory, and back of them, in the circles, clipped dwarf ever- 
greens ; the latter (10) is to have the small circles next the walk 
occupied by a succession of pot-plants in bloom, set in larger pots 
buried in the grass to receive them, so that the former can be 
taken up and put one side when the grass is to be cut. 

Flower-beds which are not more than two feet in width, and on 
the borders of walks, should have no plants in them more than 
eighteen inches high, including the height of the flower-stalks, and 
plants from six to fifteen inches in height have the best effect. In 
wider beds, by placing the low growing sorts in front, or on the 
outside edges of the beds, the higher show to good advantage 
behind them. 

In sowing flower-seeds, which are intended to cover a bed, 
put them in drills across the bed so that a hoe may be used be- 
tween the plants when they appear. 

To make a fine display throughout the season, in beds for low 
flowers, it is necessary to have at least two sets or crops of plants ; 
one from bulbs, such as snow-drops, crocuses, jonquils, hyacinths, 
and tulips, all of which may be planted in October, to bloom the 
following spring; while the bedding-plants for the later bloom, 
such as verbenas, portulaccas, phlox drummondii, etc., etc., are 
being started. The bulbs of the former should remain in the 
ground till June and July to ripen, but the summer blooming plants 
can be planted between the bulbs, so that the latter can be re- 
moved without disarranging the former. Persons having good hot- 
bed frames, or a green-house to draw from, may make more 
brilliant beds by more frequent changes, but two crops, if well 
managed, will be quite satisfactory. 

Few persons are aware of the grand displays that may be made 
in a single season by the use of those annuals, perennials, and 
bedding-plants which grow quickly to great size. Proprietors com- 
mencing with bare grounds can make them very effective tempo- 
rary substitutes for shrubbery. Many species, especially those 



250 FLOWERS AND'BEDBINO PLANTS, 

half-hardy plants of recent introduction, which are remarkable for 
the great size, or rich colors of their leaves, are large enough to 
form, by themselves, groups of considerable size and beauty, from 
midsummer till frost. Of these, the different varieties of the 
ricinus (castor-bean plants) are the most imposing in height, 
breadth, and size of leaves. The tree ricinus, E. ho7-honiensis 
arboreus, grows in one season to the height of fifteen feet ; the R. 
sanguineous, ten feet ; the silver-leaved, R. africanus albidiis, eight 
feet, and the common castor-oil bean, R. communis, five feet. 
These are all great spreading plants. The ariinda donax is a tall 
plant resembling the sugar-cane, grows rapidly to the height of ten 
feet, and takes up but little room horizontally. The magnificent 
cannas are of all sizes, from two to seven feet in height, and mass 
well either in beds by themselves, or with low plants of lighter- 
colored foliage in front of them, and the ariinda donax or the Japan- 
ese striped maize behind them. The Japanese striped maize is a 
curiously beautiful species of corn from four to six feet in height, 
with leaves brightly striped with white and green. The hollyhocks 
are noble perennials greatly neglected. Few plants make so showy 
a display massed in beds, to be seen at a little distance. Height, 
three to six feet. The wigandia caracasana is a very robust 
bedding-plant which attains the height of six feet, and is remark- 
able for the size and beauty of its leaves. The Nicotea ati'o- 
purpurea grandiflora is also noticeable for the robust beauty of its 
foliage, to which is added the charm of showy dark-red blossoms. 
The beauty of the gorgeous-leaved colleus verschafelti is pretty 
well known. In the open sun, and in rich moist soil, each plant 
will form a compact mass of foliage two feet in height and 
breadth. It also makes a brilliant border for the larger plants. 
The larger geraniums can also be used for the same purpose, and 
sweet peas, the larger Oenotheras, the lillium giganteum, and many 
others, are good taller plants to place behind them. While masses 
of shrubs usually display their greatest floral beauty in the spring 
and early summer, these grand annuals and semi-tropical plants 
attain their greatest luxuriance of leaf and bloom at the season's 
close. The brilliantly-colored or variegated-leaved plants, most of 
which are half-hardy, require to be propagated and grown in pots 



AND THEIR SETTINGS. 251 

in the green-house, but flourish in the open ground during the 
summer months with great luxuriance, and are among the brightest 
and most interesting features of suburban lawns. We have named 
but few out of many of the plants suitable for forming showy 
masses or conspicuous single specimens. Descriptive lists of all 
which are valuable may be found in the illustrated catalogues of 
the great florists and nurserymen. 

Fig. 45. 



(3 



Y) 



Fig. 45, drawn to the scale of one-sixteenth of an inch to one 
foot, is a design for a group of small beds to border a straight short 
walk on each side, and opposite each other. A low broad 
vase for flowers occupies the centre; the beds 2, 2, to be 
filled with brilliant bedding bulbs for a spring bloom, and 
such plants as verbenas, phlox drummondii, and portulaccas for 
the summer and autumn bloom. The larger beds 3 and 4 
(which would be better if finished with a small circle at their 
points), will have a good effect filled first with bedding-bulbs 
like the former, and afterwards with a variety of geraniums 
diminishing in size towards the point of the bed ; or roots of the 
great Japan lily, Lillium aiiratuni, may be planted in the widest 
part of the beds to show their regal flowers above the masses of 
the geraniums. If such a variety of green-house flowers is greater 
than the planter wishes to procure, these larger beds, two on each 
side of the walk, may be filled very showily with petunias in one, 
dwarf perennial poppies in another, dwarf salvias in another, and 
coxcombs or pinks in another. The vase, if a broad one, may 
have a plant of Japanese striped maize for its centre, two coUeiis 
verschafelti, and two mountain-of-snow geraniums alternated 
around it, and around the edge of the vase the vinca elegantissima, 
the lobelia erinus paxtoni, the tfopceolium, or some half a dozen 
other drooping plants of brilliant foliage and blossoms which a 
florist may name. 



252 



FLOWERS AND BEDDING PLANTS, 



Fig. 46 is a group of five small 
beds on the outside of a circular 
walk. No. I may be filled with 
four canna plants of sorts from 
three to four feet high ; the beds 
2, and 2, one with Lady Pollock 
geranium, and the other with 

some one gorgeous-leaved plant of about the same size ; and beds 

3 and 4 with brilliant trailing flowers. 

Fig. 47. 





"N«i*=**. -•"' 



G=0 ® 09 



Fig. 47 is a group of beds requiring more space, and adapted 
to the inner side of a curved walk where there is considerable 
depth of lawn behind. V — is a large low vase. The circular ex- 
tremities a, a, a, may be filled with compact specimens of curious- 
leaved plants like the Lady Pollock, or mountain-of-snow gera- 
nium, colleus verschafelti, iresene herbstii, etc., etc. ; or they may 
be more permanently occupied by such very dwarf evergreens as 
the Abies nigra pumula, the garden boxwood, or the Andromeda 
floribiinda. The narrow parts of the two beds next to the walks 
should be occupied by some shrubby little annuals or perennials 
which do not exceed nine inches in height, and the balance of the 
beds filled with plants increasing in size towards the vase, none of 
which, however, should be higher than the top of the vase. The 
rear bed should be filled in a similar manner, and being further 
from the walk, may be occupied with showy plants of coarser 
foliage than the front beds. By an error in the drawing the circu- 
lar front of the back bed is made further from the vase than the 
side ones. It should be made larger in the direction of the vase, 
and have its corners truncated like the others. 



AND THEIR SETTINGS. 



353 




Fig. 48 is a circular series of eight beds 
formed on an octagonal plan, with a large 
vase for flowers in the centre, a width of four 
feet in lawn around the vase, and the beds, 
five feet in length, radiating as shown. The 
plan is suitable for an open space, to give 
interest to a window view, or to face a 
porch where the entrance-walk runs parallel 
with the house. So many different plants 
may here be used with good effect, that, 
whichever we may name, may be bettered 

by a more skillful florist. Yet we will suggest for the widest part 
of these beds, stools of the eight finest Japan lilies, to be sur- 
rounded by fall planted bulbs that bloom in April and May, which 
can be removed by the first of June ; these to be followed by such 
plants as gladiolus and tuberoses, on the ends nearest the vase, 
and by the finest eight varieties of compact geraniums in the outer 
circles. Or the beds may be planted with an entirely fresh variety 
of flowers every year. 

Fig. 49 is a group of flower-beds suita- 
ble to place at the end of a walk or at the 
intersection of diverging walks. A rustic 
or other vase is here, also, the centre of the 
group, with four or five feet of lawn around 
it. The beds a, a, should be filled with 
flowers that do not exceed six or nine 
inches in height. The beds b, c, and d, are 
large enough to allow of considerable vari- 
ety in their composition. The two smaller 
ones should have no plants that grow 
higher than two feet, while in the middle of 

the bed d, and in the trefoil end, may be planted those which grow 
from three to five feet in height. 

Fig. 50 (drawn to a scale of one-twelfth of an inch to one foot) 
requires a larger space such as that made by the turn circle of a 
roadway, or a place where a walk or road describes the segment of 
a circle With an open lawn on the inside of the curve. A tree might 



Fig. 49. 




254 



FLOWERS AND BEDDING PLANTS, 



Fig. 50. 




be planted at the centre, where a vase is designated, and these beds 
could be formed around it for half a dozen years or more, or until 
the shade from its branches renders the location unsuitable for 

the growth of flowers. If a tree 
be not preferred, then the single 
vase, or a large basket- vase with a 
smaller vase rising out of it, would 
be the most appropriate centre- 
piece for such a group. The four 
principal beds are about twelve 
feet in length on their middle lines, 
and two and a half feet in greatest 
diameter. The dots show places 
for nine robust and compact plants, 
which may be from four to live 
feet in height in the centre, and 
diminish to one foot at each end. 
Where good plants can be ob- 
tained from a green-house, we recommend for the centre of one 
bed the Canna coccinea vera, or the C. Lindleyana, which grow 
to five feet in height, to be flanked with pairs, divided one on 
each side, of the following varieties, viz. : the C. limbata major, 
four feet high; the C. bicolor de jfava, three feet j C.flaccida, three 
feet; C. compacta elegantissima, two feet; and C. augicstifolia 
7zana pallida, one foot. Many other varieties will do just as 
well as the ones named, provided they are of a size to diminish 
symmetrically from the centre to the ends of the bed. For the 
centre of another bed the Ntcoteana atro-purpurea grandiflora, a 
noble, large-leaved plant, that grows five feet in height, and 
bears panicles of dark-red blossoms ; next to this on either side a 
plant of Canna gigantea splendidissima, three feet ; then a pair of 
AcaJithus mollis, three feet ; next the Amarajtthus bicolor, two 
feet ; and for the ends, the Lady Pollock geranium, one to two 
feet. For the centre of a third bed the Wigandia caracasajia may 
be used, being another of the splendid leaved plants recently intro- 
duced. It grows to the height of six feet. This may be flanked 
on either side with the Riciniis communis, four to five feet high ; 



AND THEIR SETTINGS. 255 

next .to these a mass of hollyhocks of stocky growth; next the 
Mirabilis (four o'clock), and on the points the CoUeiis verschafelti. 
In the centre of the fourth bed may be a stool of Japanese striped 
maize, five to six feet high; next on either side a plant of the 
striped-leaved Cawia zebrina, five feet high; next, and in the 
centre-line of the bed, the Lillium auratum, with the Lillium I'ongi- 
fiorum near the edge of the bed ; next the Salvia argentia, three 
feet ; and for the ends of the bed the Amaranthus melancholicus 
ruber, one to two feet high. The four outside circles may be filled 
respectively with the CoUeus verschafelti, of gorgeous crimson and 
purple leaves ; the mountain-of-snow geranium, with white foliage 
and scarlet flowers ; the Amaratithus bicolor, with green and crim- 
son leaves ; and the Lady Pollock geranium with variegated 
leaves. The vase for a group of beds of this size should be large, 
and well filled in the centre with gay-leaved plants, with more deli- 
cate foliage drooping over its sides. If such groups are made 
without a vase in the centre, we suggest in place of it, the planting 
of an Arunda donax within a circle of Japanese maize, the bed to 
be about tliree feet in diameter, and well enriched ; or the Irish 
juniper may be planted as a permanent and more formal centre. 

Fig. 51 is a design for a number of beds occupying so great 
a space that it would constitute a flower-garden. The centre bed 
is supposed to be cut within a circle of four feet radius, so that 
it will be eight feet in diameter from point to point. The eight 
circular beds surrounding it are each three and a half feet in 
diameter, and laid out so that their centres are on a circle eight 
feet from the main centre. The inside ends of the outer circle of 
beds are segments of circles struck from the centres of the small 
beds, and may be made of any form that the surrounding features 
of the place suggest. The most elegant feature for the centre of 
the central bed would be a broad shallow vase two feet in height, 
and four in breadth, on top, elevated on a pedestal two feet 
high, which should be concealed by a dense mass of shrubby 
flowering plants around it; the sides of the vase to be draped 
with pendulous plants overhanging its sides, and its centre filled 
with plants of a tropical appearance. Next in elegance to the large 
vase-centre would be a basket-bed similar to the one shown in the 



256 FLOWERS AND BEDDING PLANTS, 

Fig. si. 







engraving at the end of this chapter. Tliis would require a different 
style of planting. Supposing its base to be four feet in diameter, 
there would, be a margin of two feet all around it for low trailing 
flowers. The design for a basket-vase is intended for an open lawn, 
and shows a collection of plants quite different from what would be 
best for the design under consideration. Here we would have for 
its centre a single group of the Canna sanguinea chatei, surrounded 
by a circle of Japanese maize ; next a circle of Salvia argentea, and 
for the outside border the Lady Pollock geranium inter-planted with 
some of the slender, drooping, light-leaved plants, named farther on 
in this chapter, for the decoration of vases. 

If this central bed is to have neither a pedestal-vase nor basket- 
vase, it may still be made the most conspicuous point of interest in 
the parterre with plants alone. It is desirable that the lawn should 
rise gently towards it on all sides, and that the bed be raised in 
the centre as much as may be without making the earth liable to 
be washed upon the lawn. In the centre, if this flower-garden is 
intended to be pe?'manent, we would plant the remarkable variety of 
the European silver fir, known as the I^icea fedinata pendula, or 
the variety of the Norway spruce, known as the Abies excelsa in- 
verta, shown in Fig. 52 ; and around it a circle of the tallest Japan 
lilies j next a circle of the mountain-of-snow geranium alternated 



AlfD THEIB SETTINGS. 257 

with gladioli! ; and for the outside of the same bed, the CoUeus 
verschafelti^ alternated with the Lady Pollock geranium. Some 
years will be required to grow the evergreens named to the size 
that will make them appropriate centres for such a parterre. If a 
showy bed is required the first season without the use of either 
vase, basket, or evergreen tree-centre, the following plants may be 
suggested to effect it, viz. : for the centre, the Ca?i}ia gigantea 
auriantica, ten feet high; around it on a circle eighteen inches 
from the centre, the Canna sanguinea chatei, six feet high, to be 
planted one foot apart in the circle j next on a circle one foot 
further out, the Salvia argentea, or the mountain-of-snow geranium, 
to be planted one foot apart in the circle ; for the next circle, 
one foot from the same, th6 Amaranthus melancholicus ruber, a 
plant of deep-red foliage from one to v^^o feet high ; and for the 
edge of the bed the fern-like low white-leaved Cefttaurea gymno- 
carpa ; or if plants of the latter are too expensive to use freely, 
make a border of the common Indian pink, or the blue lobelia. 
These plants, if successfully grown, will make a magnificent bed 
from midsummer till frost. For a display in the first half of the 
season, early blooming bulbous flowers must be relied upon. We 
have thus far considered only the central-bed of the group shown 
in Fig. 51, and have suggested various modes of treating it which 
would be equally applicable to a round bed of the size named, were 
it disconnected with the surrounding beds. For the small circular- 
beds, each alternate one may have a cluster of the Japanese striped 
maize in its centre ; the other four . beds might have in their 
centres the Canna flaccida, the Nicotiana atropiirpurea grandifiora, 
the Canna gigantea splejididissima, and the Wigandia caracasana. 
Around their edges may be planted any well-foliaged flowering- 
plants which do not exceed nine inches in height, and a different 
species in each bed. The outside tier of beds are for low bedding 
flowers or annuals, which should not exceed fifteen inches in height 
for the centres, or more than six inches near the borders. 

Fig. 52 represents a circular-bed with one of the pendulous firs 

mentioned in a preceding page, in its centre, and such tall growing 

brilliant flowers as the Japan lilies and gladiolii next to it ; a circle 

of petunias around them ; and creeping plants near the margin. 

17 



258 FLOWERS AND BEDDING PLANTS^ 

Fig. 5a. 




'^i^mi(>^f!it^i^iii^iilf^^ 



The common firs are often planted to form centres for such beds, 
but they soon grow to such over-shadowing size as to be quite un- 
suitable. The weeping silver fir, and weeping Norway spruce, 
however, are pendulous to such a degree that they make but slow 
additions to their breadth. If their central stems or leaders are 
kept vertical by tying to a stake or straight twig bound to the stem 
below, and the side branches trimmed back whenever they show a 
tendency to the normal form, the appearance shown in the cut may 
be preserved for many years. Where these varieties of the fir are 
not to be had, the Irish juniper, or the hemlock, may be substituted. 
The former of those trees is almost monumental in its slender 
formality, but is pleasing in color and delicate foliage. The latter, 
if trimmed back every spring in April or May, but not afterwards 
during that season, will exhibit during the rest of the year the most 
airy outline of pendulous spray. The trimming in the spring must 
not be done so as to leave a solidly conical hedge-like form, but 
with some irregularity, imitating within slender limits the freedom 
of outline natural to the hemlock; — the idea being to produce by 
artificial means the appearance of one of nature's abnormal varieties 
or sports, which will bear the same relation to the common form 
of the hemlock that the pendulous fir in the cut bears to its family. 
The last cut of this chapter, already alluded to, is a form of 



AND THEIE .SETTINGS. 259 

basket-vase now little used, which we recommend as an appro- 
priate embellishment for a lawn, when filled with suitable plants. 
Such basket forms may be made either of rustic woodwork, of 
terra-cotta, or of iron, and need have no bottom ; or at least only 
rims around the bottoms on the inside sufficient to prevent them 
from settling into the ground unevenly. When filled with earth 
they form simply raised beds to be planted with such things as the 
taste of the owner may choose. The basket form simply gives an 
artistic relief to the bed, and at the same time is so low that it does 
not obtrusively break the views over a small lawn, like those tall 
vases of a garish complexion which are often seen in lonely isola- 
tion, thrust forward "to show," All vases of classic forms need to 
be supported by architectural constructions of some kind, near by, 
which harmonize with them in style ; or else to be so embowered 
with the foliage of the plants they bear, and by which they are sur- 
rounded, in the summer months at least, that they will gleam 
through leaves and flowers like the face of a beautiful woman seen 
through a veil. The variety of forms and sizes for basket-beds is 
illimitable ; they may be suited to almost any spot where a flower- 
bed is desirable, and can be made cheaply, or with costly art, as 
the surroundings may suggest. We venture, however, to warn their 
makers not to put arch-handles over them. A basket form is chosen 
because it is pretty and convenient, but it does not follow that the 
bed of flowers should make any pretence to be in fact a real basket 
of flowers. The transparency of the deception makes it ridiculous. 
Rustic vases made of crooked joints and roots of trees, and 
twigs with or without their bark, have become quite common, 
and are often made so strongly and skilfully as to be pleasing 
works of art. Strength, durability, and firmness on their bases 
are the essential qualities which they must have. Any construc- 
tions of this kind which suggest flimsy wood, or bungling carpen- 
try, or rotting bark, or want of firmness at the base, though they 
may be planted to give a pretty effect at first, soon become rickety 
nuisances. But those which are " strongly built, and well," 
are certainly more likely to have a pleasing effect on common 
grounds than little plaster, iron, or stone vases, and cannot so 
easily be used amiss. All rustic constructions of this kind will last 



260 FLOWERS AND BEDDING PLANTS, 

much longer, and look cleaner, if the wood is obtained when the 
bark will peel readily, and made up with no bark upon it. The 
first effect is certainly less rustic, but sufficiently so to harmonize 
with the surroundings of a suburban home ; and after a few years 
the advantages of the barkless constructions are very evident. 

There is a frequent fault in the use of vases, whether rustic or clas- 
sic, that mars all their beauty wherever they are placed. We refer to 
the want of care in keeping their tops level, and their centres vertical. 
A house " out of plum " is not more unsightly than a vase awry. 

The plants used with good effect in rustic vases are those which 
have large and showy or curiously marked leaves, for the centres, 
surrounded by delicate-leaved drooping or trailing plants. The gor- 
geous crimson-leaved Colleus verschafelti is a deserved favorite for 
vases of good size, being a rank grower and developing its greatest 
beauty in exposures open on all sides to the sun. The following 
are some of the plants recommended by Henderson, in his book of 
Practical Floriculture, for the central portions of small baskets, and 
will answer also for small vases : " The Centaurea Candida, a plant 
of white, downy leaves, of compact growth ; Tom Thumb geranium, 
scarlet, dwarf, and compact, blooming all summer; Sedum sie- 
boldii, a plant of light glaucus foliage and graceful habit;" and 
for large baskets the following : *' Mrs. Pollock geranium, foliage 
crimson, yellow and green, flowers bright scarlet ; Centaurea 
gymnocarpa, foliage fern-like, whitish gray, of a peculiar gracefvil 
habit; Sediun sieboldii variegatimi, glaucus green, marbled with 
golden yellow ; Achyranthes gilsonii, a beautiful shade of carmine 
foliage and stem ; Alyssi0n dentatum variegattim, foliage green and 
white, with fragrant flowers of pure white ; Alteina7ithera spathula, 
lanceolate leaves of pink and crimson ; pyrethrum or golden 
feather, fern-like foliage, golden yellow." For plants to put around 
the edge of a small basket or vase, and to fall pendant from its 
sides, he recommends the following : " Lobelia erinus paxtoni, 
an exquisite blue, drooping eighteen inches ; Tivpceolum (ball 
of fire), dazzling scarlet, drooping eighteen inches ; Lysimachia 
nimmlaria, flowers bright yellow, drooping eighteen inches; Linaria 
cymbalaria, inconspicuous flowers but graceful foliage." For the 
edging or pendant plants of a large basket he recommends the 



AND THEIB SETTINGS. 261 

following, which are also suitable for the edging of a vase : " Mati- 
randia barclayana, white or purple flowers ; Vinca elegantissima 
aurea, foliage deep green, netted with golden yellow, flowers deep 
blue ; Cerastmm tomentosum, foliage downy white, flowers white ; 
Convolvulus mauritanicus, flowers light blue, profuse ; Solan2im 
jasniinoides variegatum, foliage variegated, flowers white with yel- 
low anthers : Gerafiium peltatutn elegans, a variety of the ivy- 
leaved, with rich glossy foliage and mauve-colored flowers : Fani- 
cum variegatum, a procumbent grass from New Caledonia, of 
graceful habit of growth, with beautiful variegated foliage, striped 
white, carmine, and green." These are mostly half hardy con- 
servatory plants, and if the proprietor has no conservatory they 
must be purchased, when wanted, of the florists, or they may be 
started by a skillful lady-florist in her own window. Nearly every 
lady of refined taste longs to have a conservatory of her own. But 
a building, or even an entire room, built for, and devoted to plants 
alone, is an expensive luxury. Those who have well-built houses 
heated by steam, or other good furnaces, may easily have a plant- 
window in a sunny exposure in which the plants required to bed 
in open ground the following summer may be reared ; and beautiful 
well-grown plants may be obtained from the commercial florists to 
keep the window gay with blossoms and foliage at a price greatly 
below the cost for which amateurs can raise them in their own con- 
servatories. These remarks are not designed to discourage the 
building of private conservatories by those who can afford them — far 
from it — but rather to suggest to those who cannot afford them, not 
to be envious of those who can. 

Roses. — We have not previously mentioned the Rose, among 
flowers and bedding plants, for the reason that, being the queen 
of flowers, more than ordinary attention is usually considered due 
to her. Besides, her royal family are so numerous, so varied and 
interesting in their characters, and have been the subject of so 
many compliments from poets, and biographical notices from pens 
of distinguished horticulturists, that it would be presumption 
to attempt to describe, in a few brief paragraphs, the peculiar 
beauties and characteristics of the family; still less of all its 
thousand members. The mere fact of royalty, however, has at- 



262 FLOWERS AND BEDDING PLANTS, 

tracted such numbers of admirers and chroniclers of their beauty, 
that, in faiUng to do justice to them by any observations of our 
own, there is a satisfaction in knowing that scores of their devoted 
admirers have written lovingly and sensibly of them ; and from 
their pages, we may glean and present such general information 
concerning the relative rank, characters, and habits of the various 
roses as comes within the scope of a work on the arts of arrange- 
ment, rather than a floral manual of classification or culture. 

In all the languages of civilized nations volumes have been 
written on the history, the poetical and legendary associations, the 
classification, and the culture of the rose ; so that, whoever desires 
to be especially well informed on any branch of knowledge per- 
taining to roses will seek among the books in his own language 
for the special and full information he desires. As roses come 
properly under the head of shrubs, we shall, under that head, 
give so much on the subject as may be necessary in connec- 
tion with the embellishment of suburban places, together with a 
plate of designs for rose-beds, of a great variety of sizes and forms, 
with various selections of roses that may be used to advantage in 
filling them. We will only add here what has before been men- 
tioned in connection with the subject of arrangement, that the 
planting of rose-bushes, as isolated small shrubs on a lawn, is al- 
most always a misplacement. There are a few sorts, especially 
some of the wild bush-roses, which form fine compact bushes, 
sufficiently well foliaged to be pleasing all the summer months 
when not in bloom ; but the greater part of the finest roses, par- 
ticularly the perpetuals which make a straggling and unequal 
growth, produce a far finer effect when planted pretty snugly in 
masses. A practice of planting each root of a sort by itself, like 
so many hills of potatoes, is quite necessary in commercial 
gardens where they are grown for sale, and each of a hundred 
varieties must be kept distinct from ever}' other, so that it may be 
distinguished readily, and removed for sale without injury to the 
others ; but this is market-gaxdening, not decorative, and the least 
interesting of all modes of cultivating the rose. Decidedly, the 
prettier way in small collections is to learn first what is the com- 
parative strength of growth and height of the several plants which 



AND THEIR SETTINGS. 263 

are to make up one's collection, and then to distribute the smaller 
sorts around the larger, so that all may be seen to advantage, and 
made to appear like a single bush, or symmetric group. As it is 
desirable to know each sort when out of flower and leaf, labels, 
fastened with copper wire, can remain attached to the stems near 
the base as well when in groups as when separate. 

It must not be understood that we favor great formality of out- 
lines in a group, or what is called a lumpish mass, but only that 
the general outline of bush or group shall be symmetrical, and that 
it shall contain a sufficient mass of foliage in itself to allow the 
straggling spray, which gives spirit to its outline, to be relieved 
against a good body of foliage. However formally a rose-bed is 
laid out, the free rambling growth of the plants will always give a 
sprightly irregularity of outline sufficient to relieve it from all ap- 
pearance of primness. It is as unnatural to force the rose into 
formal outlines as to suppress the frolicksomeness of children ; but 
in both cases the freedom natural to each may be directed, and 
made to conform, to the proprieties of place and occasion. Allu- 
sion has previously been made to the bad taste of conspicuous 
pieces of white-painted carpentry very generally used as supports 
for running roses. The simpler and more inconspicuous such 
supports are made, provided they are substantial, the better. 




CHAPTER XVIII. 

THE PHILOSOPHY OP DEEP DKAINAGE AND CULTIVATION IN THEIR 
RELATION TO THE GROWTH OF TREES, AND THE SUCCESSFUL CUL- 
TURE OP THOSE WHICH ARE HALP-HARDY; TOGETHER WITH SUGGES- 
TIONS FOR PROTECTING YOUNG TREES IN WINTER AND SUMMER. 



A 



LARGE portion of the gross weight of all soils is water. 
If we dry any soil perfectly, the residuum of weight will 
bear a very small proportion to the average weight of 
the soil in its natural condition. Water, therefore, occu- 
pies a large part of the texture of what we call solid earth. When 
we draw the water from any soil by drains, the space occupied by 
the water in the earth is supplied by air. Thorough draining, 
therefore, airs the soil to whatever depth it drains off the water. 
The air transmits heat and cold less rapidly than water by direct 
conduction, so that, if air occupies the place of water in the inter- 
stices of the soil, the latter will feel all changes of temperature 
more slowly. Deep drainage, therefore, tends to equalize the tem- 
perature of the earth's surface, and to neutralize the effect of great 
and sudden changes in the air above. It is impossible to drain a 
subsoil too thoroughly from beneath, because the capillary attrac- 
tion of the earth is always sufficient to draw up from below all the 
moisture that is essential to most forms of vegetable life ; and in 
addition to the moisture thus drawn from below, the earth, when 
the air can circulate freely in it, has the power when dry to absorb 
a vast amount of moisture from the air, as well as to yield it up to 
the air by evaporation when it holds an excess. To all general 
observations like these, the reader's intelligence will of course 
suggest exceptions ; as of trees and plants which thrive best where 
their roots are immersed in water, and which make water their 
element rather than earth ; but the fact holds good as to the great 



PHIL080PMY OF BEEP BBAINAGE. 265 

mass of beautiful trees, shrubs, and plants— that they will thrive 
best, and bear the winter's cold and the summer's heat and drought 
with least injury, in the most deeply drained soils. If this is true 
as a general rule, it is plain that for trees which are peculiarly 
sensitive to either extreme, there is greater need of deep drainage 
than for any other. 

The airing of the soil, which deep draining secures, acts in two 
ways for the benefit of all vegetation : first, by equalizing the tem- 
perature of the soil in consequence of the non-conducting power of 
air ; secondly, by exposing the deeper soil to the contact of air, it 
becomes changed in character, and undergoes a constant process of 
fertilization by the action of air upon it. It is being oxygenized. 
Any one familiar with farming operations in new countries, knows 
that when virgin soils are first turned over, there are, usually, only 
a few inches of dark soil on the surface. If the plow turns a 
furrow five or six inches deep, it will generally show a much lighter 
color than the surface which is turned under ; but in a few years of 
continued culture this lighter-colored soil becomes as dark as the 
original surface. By the combined action of the sun and air it has 
all become equally oxygenized. If such ground were repeatedly 
plowed without growing a crop from it, and so as to permit no 
growth of vegetation to be turned under, it would still, for a time, 
gain rapidly in fertility, by the mere chemical changes produced by 
the sun and air. What plowing effects quickly by the direct ex- 
posure of the upper soil to these elements, deep draining and the 
consequent airing of the soil effects slowly, and less thoroughly, in 
subsoils through which the air is induced to permeate. Imper- 
ceptibly, but surely, the earth beneath our feet is being warmed and 
fertilized by the action of the air upon it, whenever we invite the air hi, 
by drawing the water out. This increased warmth and richness of 
the subsoil invites the roots of trees deeper and deeper in pro- 
portion as it approximates in character to the warmth and oxygena- 
tion of the surface-soil. To have a deeply aired soil, therefore, is 
to encourage trees to root farther down, and away from the trying 
changes of winter and spring temperature that weaken or kill semi- 
tropical trees and shrubs, and often impair the vitality of young 
trees of hardy species. 



266 EABTH HEAT. 

Next in importance to deep drainage, therefore, is deep tillage. 
It supplements drainage by often repeated exposure of a certain 
depth of soil to the action of the air and sun, by which its oxygena- 
tion is carried on more rapidly than it can possibly be when not so 
exposed. 

Earth Heat. — The earth grows warmer as we go down. If its 
temperature were tested in winter, we should find an increasing 
warmth with each foot of depth below the frost The more porous 
and dry the soil, the less depth it will freeze, and the more rapid 
the increase of temperature below the frost line. This explains why 
gravelly subsoils make warm soils, and suggests that deep drain- 
age is the most efficient means of providing for trees an equable 
"bottom heat." 

In the northern States the range of earth-freezing is from one 
to three feet deep. It is not always deepest where the cold is 
greatest ; for where a considerable altitude makes the winters more 
severe, the greater snow-falls are likely to husband the earth's 
warmth as with a feathery blanket, so that the soil may be frozen 
no deeper at Utica than at Philadelphia. But when the surface 
protection is the same, altitude and latitude tell quickly on the 
climate in its effect on trees. 

Roots at the surface of the ground are either torpid in their icy 
encasement, or alternately thawed-out or frozen-in during four or 
five months. Those a foot below the surface are ice-bound not 
much more than half this time ; those two feet below, a third j and 
those three feet below, not at all. All the roots which are just 
under the frost-line during any part of the winter, are in no colder 
soil than the winter surface-soil of the Gulf States. Whether six 
inches or three feet under the surface, where the ground is not 
frozen, the roots maintain some action. 

The younger and smaller a tree or shrub, the nearer its roots 
are to the surface, and all its fluctuations and severities of tem- 
perature ; and therefore the greater need of guarding against them. 
The analogy between animals and plants is greater than most per- 
sons suppose. " Keep your feet warm and dry, and you will not 
be likely to take cold," is a trite piece of advice, because it is so 



BOOTS AS CONDUCTOBS OF HEAT. 267 

true and so useful. Now if we can keep the plants' feet warm and 
dry, or at least save them from the greatest extremes of cold and 
wet, we do them the same kindness that we do the children by 
wrapping their feet in wool and leather protections. 

The roots of trees and shrubs during the first five years of their 
grovirth are mostly in that part of the soil which is frozen in the 
northern States from one to three feet deep every winter. Some 
rapid-growing trees, as the yellow locust and the silver poplar, 
send down their roots to a great depth very soon after planting. 
We have seen roots of the locust that had penetrated a marly clay 
and were as large as pipe-stems at a depth of six feet below the 
surface, from trees only three years planted. This power of quick 
and deep rooting in the subsoil is probably the reason why the 
locust tree, with its tropical luxuriance and extreme delicacy of 
foliage, is able to endure a degree of cold that many less succulent 
and hardier looking trees cannot bear. 

Deep Roots as Conductors of Heat to the Tops of 
Trees. — The deep roots have an influence in maintaining an 
equilibrium of temperature in the tree that is little understood. 
They are direct conductors from the even warmth of the unfrozen 
subsoil, to the trunk and branches which are battling with frigid 
air, and winds that strive to rob them of their vital heat. All 
winter long this current of heat is conducted by the deep roots to 
the exposed top. The greater the cold, the greater the call on 
these roots to maintain the equilibrium ; and consequently their 
usefulness in this respect is in proportion to the extremes of tem- 
perature above ground which the tree may be required to resist, 
and the proportion of roots which are below the frost-line. Surface 
roots are the summer-feeding roots — multiplying their myriads of 
fibres, each one a greedy mouth, when spring opens and the leaves 
need them ; — and there is always a perfect proportion between their 
abundance and vigor, and the luxuriance of the foliage above them. 
Surface manuring promotes a rank growth of these roots, and of 
the foliage ; and should only be used for young trees and shrubs 
which are unquestionably hardy, or for the less hardy which are 
already deeply rooted ; but not for young trees of doubtful hardi- 



368 EFFECT ON S W3I I- T B P I C A L TREES. 

ness. These must first be provided with the bottom heat that 
deep drainage and a well-aired subsoil provides, until they are 
deeply rooted. 

As newly planted trees have not the means of keeping them- 
selves warm in winter by means of their deep roots, it follows that 
they must be nursed in some way so that they will maintain a 
vigorous life until they are thus provided. 

Trees or shrubs of half-tropical habit, by which we mean those 
that flourish in our southern States without protection, and which 
may be so carefully managed as to develop their beauties healthily 
in the northern States, of course need this careful nursing more 
than any other ; and not only to guard them against winter's ex- 
cesses, but to give them the most equable ground temperature at 
all seasons. Most trees in their native localities grow in deep 
shades, and the soil over their roots is rarely heated by the direct 
rays of the sun, however powerful its heat upon their tops. The 
very luxuriance of vegetation forms a bower of shade for the 
soil ; so that in forests the roots of trees are in a soil that is com- 
paratively equable in temperature and moisture. When trees irom 
such localities are grown on open lawns, they are naturally dis- 
posed to branch low, in order to cover their roots from the heat of 
the summer sun by the shade of their own boughs. The mag- 
nolias and rhododendrons are marked examples of trees and 
shrubs which are cultivated most successfully in deeply drained 
soils, but at the same time are ill-at-ease in ground where the soil 
over their roots is bared to the scorching summer heat. In the 
,case of evergreen trees, their low-branching keeps the ground under 
them cool and shady in summer, and also protects the roots in 
winter — acting as a blanket to hold the radiation of the earth's 
heat, and to hold the snow which makes another blanket for the 
same purpose. A well-cut lawn is some protection to the roots of 
trees, but it interferes with that active oxygenation of the soil which 
deep culture produces ; and while it acts as a shield against the 
scorching effect of the summer sun on bare earth, and as a mulch to 
counteract, in a slight degree, the rapid changes of temperature on 
the surface-roots, it at the same time reduces the vitality and power 
of resistance to cold in the tree, by preventing the deep soil from 



RESULTS OF CULTIVATION. 269 

becoming well aired and oxygenized, as it is under high culture. 
Under the sod of a lawn, therefore, the roots of trees will be 
nearer the surface than in ground under cultivation, and will have 
less power to resist cold, so far as deep roots enable them to re- 
sist it. 

If a tree is planted in a thoroughly drained soil which is to be 
cultivated, instead of one which is to be covered with lawn, it may 
be set several inches deeper, so that the main roots need not be 
injured by the spade, while they will be kept in warm soil by the 
occasional turning under of the surface which has been under the 
direct action of the sun's rays. The roots at the depth of ten 
inches, in a soil which is spaded annually, and well cultivated, will 
be as well aired, and have as warm feeding ground, as in a similar 
soil two inches below an old sod. This cultivation, therefore, gains 
for the tree a summer and winter mulching of eight inches in depth 
above its rootlets; a great gain in winter, and equal to several 
degrees of more southern latitude. 

Half-hardy trees should therefore not only be planted in ground 
drained most deeply and thoroughly, but also where the ground 
may be deeply cultivated until they are rooted in a warm subsoil 
below the action of frosts — say ten years. Trees which even- 
tually grow , to considerable size may, when young, be centres or 
parts of groups of shrubs that also require high culture ; and when 
the tree begins to over-top the shrubs, the latter should be gradu- 
ally removed. But it must be constantly borne in mind that all 
trees, and especially those of doubtful hardiness, need a full de- 
velopment of low side-branches when young, and no shrubbery 
should remain near enough to them to check this side-growth. 
When all the excess of shrubbery around the tree is removed, and 
the latter is supposed to have become sufficiently established to be 
able to dispense with deep culture, and have the ground under its 
branches converted into lawn, then two or three inches in depth 
of fresh soil should be added all around the tree, as far as the 
roots extend ; and for half-hardy trees, an autumn mulching with 
leaves or evergreen boughs should never be omitted at any age 
of the tree. The subject of mulching will be treated again in this 
chapter. 



370 PROTECTION FROM WINDS. 

Protection from Winds. — The effect of protection from the 
winds is nearly the same for delicate trees as for delicate human 
beings. " Keep out of a strong draught of air " is a common 
admonition given to those who are healthy, as well as to invalids ; 
and this, too, when only the pleasant breath of summer is to be 
guarded against. Now when we reflect that trees have not the 
power of warming themselves by exercise, but must stand with suf- 
fering patience the coldest blasts of winter, with no more covering 
on body and limbs than sufficed them in genial summer air, how 
thoughtless and heartless of us to expect any of them, least of all 
the denizens of semi-tropical forests, to laugh with blossoms, and 
grow fat with leaves, after being exposed to all the rigors of a 
northern winter. Ought we not to be most thankful that even the 
hardened species of northern zones can bear the vicissitudes of our 
climate ? And if semi-tropical trees can also be made to thrive by 
kindly protection, should we grudge them the care which their deli> 
cacy demands ? 

Much as our horticultural writers have endeavored to impress 
the importance of protection from winds, by means of walls of 
hardy evergreen trees, few persons have had the opportunity of 
observing how great the benefits of such protection. Houses, out- 
buildings, and high fences may generally be so connected by such 
hedges and screens as to form warm bays and sheltered nooks 
where many trees and shrubs of novel beauty may be grown, which, 
in exposed situations, would either die outright or eke out a dis- 
eased and stunted existence. This remark applies with most force 
to the smaller trees and shrubs for which constructive protections 
against winds may be erected with no great expense ; or verdant 
walls may be grown within a few years. Yet larger trees like the 
Magnolia machrophylla and the Bhotan pine {P. excelsd) may be so 
protected in their early growth that the health and vigor acquired 
during the first ten years of careful attention to their needs will 
enable them to resist vicissitudes of climate which trees of the same 
species, less judiciously reared, would die under. Vigor of con- 
stitution in animals is not alone a matter of race and family, but 
also to a considerable degree the result of education and training. 
Delicate youths who nurse their strength, and battle with their own 



PROTECTION FROM WINDS. 371 

weakness by obeying the laws of health that intelligence teaches 
them, often become stronger at middle age than those of robust 
organization who early waste their vigor by careless disregard of 
those laws. By studying the nature of trees we may effect similar 
results with similar care. 

Winter protection from winds must be effected principally by 
hardy evergreens. Of these the Norway spruce is one of the most 
rapid in its growth. In itself a beautiful object, it may be massed 
in pleasing groups, or compact belts, or close cut colossal hedges. 
The white pine in sandy soils has a still more rapid growth, and 
is, therefore, suited to form the highest screens. The American 
and the Siberian arbor-vitaes are naturally so hedge-like in form 
that the sight of them at once suggests their usefulness ; while the 
rambling and graceful young hemlock is readily trained into ver- 
dant screens of exquisite beauty. 

The relative growth of these trees is about in the following 
order : The white pine planted from the nursery should attain the 
height of twenty feet in ten years, and forty feet in twenty years. 
The Norway spruce grows with about the same rapidity, but its 
growth being relatively less in breadth at the top, its summit gives 
less check to winds. The hemlock may attain about two-thirds the 
size of the pine in the same time ; while the arbor-vitaes just named 
may be relied on to make about a foot of growth per year. These 
facts suggest to intelligent planters the service these trees may be 
made to render in the capacity of protectors of the weaker species 
of trees and shrubs. 

The warming power of evergreen trees in winter is not fully 
appreciated. They are like living beings, breathing all the time, 
and keep up, and give off their vital heat in the same manner. In 
a dense forest the cold is never so intense as on an adjoining 
prairie ; and the difference between the temperature of even a small 
grove of evergreens, and open ground near by, is often great 
enough to decide the life or death of sensitive shrubs and trees. 
In our chapter on the Characteristics of Trees will be found some 
interesting facts concerning this quality of trees and plants. 

Deep drainage, deep culture, and protection from winds are the 
three great means to give trees a healthy and rapid development, 



272 PROTECTION BY MULCHING. 

and to acclimatize those which are not quite hardy. It has also 
been suggested that certain trees and shrubs need to be protected 
from the sun, as well as from cold and wind. This fact will be 
noted in the descriptions of them. 

We now come to the special treatment of newly planted trees, 
premising that the general conditions just given have been com- 
plied with. 

Mulching. — Mulch signifies any substance which may be 
strewn upon the ground to retain its moisture for the benefit of 
the roots which it covers, or to serve as a non-conductor of the 
coldness or the heat of the air, and to retain the natural warmth of 
the earth beneath. Mulching may be done in a great variety of 
ways, and for different purposes. Summer mulching is intended 
to protect the soil from too rapid drying under the direct rays of 
the sun. Winter mulching is designed to prevent the sudden and 
excessive freezing of the earth. 

Leaves are the natural mulch for forest trees. At the approach 
of winter, observe how all the trees disrobe their branches to drop 
a cover of leaves upon their roots. The winds blow them away 
from the great trunks which are deep rooted and need them least, 
to lodge among the stems and roots of the underbrush which need 
them most. Leaves being the- most natural cover for roots are the 
best. But they cannot be used to advantage in summer in well- 
kept grounds because of the difficulty of retaining them in place, 
and their unsightly effect when blown about on a lawn. In 
autumn, however, they should be gathered, when most abundant, 
for a winter mulch ; and can be retained in place by heavy twigs 
over them. The twigs and leaves together catch the blowing snow 
and thus make a warm snow blanket in addition to their own pro- 
tection. For summer mulching, saw-dust (not too fresh) and 
"chip-dirt," are good and tidy protections. Old straw is excellent, 
but is unsightly and too disorderly when blown by winds to be 
satisfactory in neatly kept places ; and when used too freely 
harbors mice. Tan-bark is a favorite summer mulch, and very 
good if not put on too thick. Evergreen leaves and twigs are 
admirable for either summer or winter mulching, but especially for 



P R TE C TI N BY BUNDLING. 



27c 



winter, on account of the snow that accumulates in them. Massed 
to the depth of a foot, the ground beneath them will hardly feel the 
frosts. Trees or shrubs which are hardy enough to be forced into 
a rank growth without making their new wood too succulent and 
tender to bear the following winter, may be mulched with short 
manure, but trees of doubtful hardiness must not be thus stimu- 
lated. If used at all it should be in autumn, for winter service, 
and raked off in spring, to be replaced by cooler materials during 
the growing season. 

In addition to the mulching required over the roots of young 
trees and shrubs in winter, it is necessary to cover the trunk, and 
sometimes the entire tops of those which are half-hardy with some 
protection. The stems of young trees may be covered with straw 
bound around them, or with matting, or strong brown paper. Small 
tree-tops and spreading shrubs may be carefully drawn together 
with straw cords, and bound up as completely in straw and matting 
as bundles of trees sent out from a nursery. As such masses are 
•likely to catch the snow, and offer considerable resistance to the 
wind, it is absolutely necessary in all cases after a subject has been 
thus bound, that strong stakes be driven near by, and the bound-up 
branches securely fastened to them until the binding is taken off in 
the spring. The following cuts, illustrating a mode of protecting 
peach trees, to secure their fruit-buds from injury in winter, also 
illustrates the mode of protecting the tops for other purposes. In 
the case of the peach tree a strong cedar post is supposed to be 




Fig. 54, 





deeply set for a permanent fixture at the same time the tree is 
planted, and that the latter grows up around it as shown by Fig. 53. 
At the approach of winter the branches which can be most con- 
veniently bound together are prepared like nursery bundles as 
18 



274 PROTECTION BT BUNDLING. 

shown by Fig. 54 ; and when done are secured by cords to the 
central post as shown by Fig. 55. In addition to this straw bind- 
ing, earth from beyond the branches is banked up around the stem, 
as shown in the same cuts. This mode of protection is especially 
adapted to the fruit-yard,. It would not be admissible to have 
permanent posts or stakes in the embellished parts of grounds ; 
but a similar mode of protection can be employed by the use of 
strong stakes to be driven when wanted, and removed in the 
spring. 

Tender vines, and pliable-wooded bushes, may be turned down 
on the approach of winter, and laid flat upon the ground or lawn, 
where there is room. If in cultivated ground, there is no better 
protection than a covering of several inches of earth. If standing 
upon a lawn they may be either covered with earth in the same 
way, if it can be brought from a convenient distance, or may be 
pinned down and covered from four to twelve inches deep with 
evergreen boughs or twigs. 

Very tender plants must of course be covered more deeply than 
hardier ones, and the cover should be removed gradually in the 
spring. It is advisable to mark the exact place where each vine or 
branch is laid, so that in uncovering, in the spring, it may not be 
injured by the spade. 



PART II. 

Trees, Shrubs, and Vines. 




CHAPTER I. 

A COMPAEISON OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF TREES. 

" I care not how men trace their ancestry, 
To Ape or Adam ; let them please their whim ; 
But I in June am midway to believe 
A Tree among my far progenitors ; 
Such sympathy is mine with all the race. 
Such mutual recognition vaguely sweet 
There is between us. Surely there are times 
f When they consent to own me of their kin, 

And condescend to me, and call me cousin. 
Murmuring faint lullabies of eldest time 
Forgotten, and yet durably felt with thrills 
Moving the lips, though fruitless of the words." 

Lowell. 



WHEN one reflects that among all the millions of 
human beings that have existed no two have been 
alike, and that all their illimitable varieties of ex- 
pression are produced by the varied combinations of 
only half a dozen features, within a space of six inches by eight, it 
ought not to be difficult to conceive the endless diversity of char- 
acter that may be exhibited among trees, with their multitude^ 
features and forms, their oddities of bark, limb, and twig, tlmr 
infinitude of leaves and blossoms of all sizes, forms, and shades of 
color, their towering sky outlines, and their ever-varying lights and 
shadows. There are subtle expressions in trees, as in the human 
face, that it is difficult to analyze or account for. A face, no one 
feature of which is pleasing, often charms us by the expression of 
an inward spirit which lights it. May we not claim for all living 
nature, as our great poet Bryant suggests in the following lines, a 



278 A C0 3IPARIS0N OF THE 

degree of soul, and for all trees that are loveable at sight a 
sympathy of soul with the observer which constitutes their pleas- 
ing expression ? 

" Nay, doubt we not that under the rough rind, 
In the green veins of these fair growths of Earth, 
There dwells a nature that receives delight 
From all the gentle processes of life. 
And shrinks from loss of being. Dim and faint 
May be the sense of pleasure and of pain, 
As in our dreams ; but haply, real still." 

Sunny cheerfulness, gayety, gloom, sprightliness, rudeness, 
sweetness, gracefulness, awkwardness, ugliness, and eccentricities, 
are all attributes of trees as well as of human beings. How do trees 
convey these impressions without suggesting those attributes which 
we call soul ? Some trees look sulky, and repel sympathy — the 
black oak or an old balsam fir, for instance. People never become 
greatly attached to such trees. Others are warm, and sunny, and 
deep bosomed, like the sugar maple \ or voluptuous like magnolias, 
or wide-winged like the oak and the apple tree — bending down to 
shade and cover, as mother-birds their nests ; — conveying at once 
a sense of domestic protection. These are the trees we love. The 
children will not cry when an old Lombardy poplar or balsam fir is 
cut down ; but cut away an old apple tree, or oak, or hickory, that 
they have played under, and their hearts will be quick to feel the 
difference between trees. Some trees look really motherly in their 
domestic expression. A large old apple tree. 
Fig. i;6. Y'\g, 56, is a type of such trees. All trees that 

spread broadly, and grow low, convey this 
expression. The white birch is a type, on 
the other hand, of delicate elegance, and is 
styled by one of our poets 

" * « * the lady of the woods." 

There are trees (like those women, who, though brilliant in 
drawing-rooms, are never less than ladies when busy in domestic 
labors) which are useful and profitable in orchard and forest, but 
are doubly beautiful in robes of greater luxuriance upon the carpet 




CMABACTERISTIC S OF TREES. 279 

of a rich lawn. There are others which no care in culture will 
make ornaments in "the best society." 

Whoever studies the varied beauties of trees will find that 
they possess almost a human interest, and their features will 
reveal varieties of expression, and charms of character, that dull 
observers cannot imagine. 

" The poplars shiver, the pine trees moan.' 

The differences between a Lombardy poplar, an oak, and a 
weeping willow are so striking that the most careless eye cannot 
mistake one for the other. The poplar, tall, slender, rigid, is a 
type of formality ; the oak, broad, massy, rugged-limbed, has ever 
been a symbol of strength, majesty, and protection; and the willow, 
also broad and massy, but so fringed all over with pensile-spray 
that its majesty is forgotten in the exquisite grace of its movement, 
is, to the oak, as the fullness and grace of a noble woman to the 
robust strength of man. 

The more obvious peculiarities and diversities of trees we shall 
endeavor to present from an aesthetic, rather than a botanist's 
point of view ; not in the interest of science, or of pecuniary utili- 
tarianism, but so as to aid the student of nature to appreciate their 
beauties ; appealing simply to that love of the beautiful in nature 
which hungers in the eyes of all good people. The delightful 
science of botany is not likely to be over-estimated, but its study 
is no more necessary to the appreciation of trees than the study 
of the chemistry of the air, or the anatomy of the ear, to the lover 
of music. 

What are the essential beauties of trees ? 

We shall name first that most essential quality of all beauty — 

The Beauty of Health. — No tree has the highest beauty of 
its type without the appearance, in its whole bearing, of robust 
vigor. There may be peculiar charms in the decay of an old trunk, 
or the eccentric habit of some stunted specimen, which ministers to 
a love of the picturesque ; but true beauty and health are as in- 
separable in trees, as in men and women. Luxuriant vigor is, then, 
the essential condition of all beautiful trees. Thriftiness cannot 



280 



A COMPARISON OF THE 



Fig. 57. 



make an elm look like an oak, but rather brings into higher relief 
the distinguishing marks of each, making the elm more graceful, 
and the oak more majestic. Yet uncommon thriftiness changes 
the forms of some trees so much that specimens growing in the 
shade of the forest, stinted by want of sunlight, and crowded by 
roots of rival trees, are tall, lank, and straggling in limb, with scanty 
foliage ; while the same species grown in rich open ground becomes 
glorious with its breadth and weighty masses of foliaged boughs. 
Who would know the common chestnut in the forest by its form, as 
the same tree that spreads its arms in the open field with all the 
majesty of the oak? Or the "mast-timber" branchless white pine; 
of a Maine forest as the same tree that forms in open ground a 
broad-based pyramid of evergreen foliage, and broods with its vast 
branches like a broad-winged bird upon a meadow-nest ? The crooked 
sassafras of the woods. Fig. 57, running up as if 
uncertain what point in the heavens to aim at, 
and at what height to put out its anns, seems as 
unhappy there as a cultured citizen forced to 
spend his life among the Camanches. But the 
same tree, in rich soil in the open sun, expands 
naturally, as in Fig. 58, into one of the most 
beautiful heads of foliage among small trees. 
Few trees attain a full measure, of thrift that are 
not fully exposed east, south, and west to the sun. We do not 
mean to assert that trees will not be beautiful without such com- 
plete exposure, but that, to realize the highest 
beauty of which any one specimen is capable, it 
must be so exposed. A greater variety of beauty 
is obtained from a group made up of more than 
one species of tree, thus contrasting several sorts 
of foliage and form, than from a single tree which 
might have grown to cover the same space; and 
we therefore sacrifice the highest type of indi- 
vidual perfection to produce more striking effects with several 
trees. But the same fact must be observed with reference to the 
group ; — its full beauty can only be realized by having the trees 
in luxuriant growth ; and open, collectively, on all sides to the sun. 




Fig. 58. 




CHARACTERISTICS OF TREES. 



281 



Fig. 159. 




Beauty of Form. — Next to the beauty that comes from vigor 
of growth, or the glow of high health, is beauty of form. On this 
matter tastes differ widely. To artists it seems a vulgar unculti- 
vated taste to prefer a solid pumpkin-headed tree, to one of more 
irregular outline ; but preference is so often expressed for trees of 
such forms that it may be imprudent to speak disrespectfully of it. 
Such trees certainly possess the first element of beauty of form, 
viz., symmetry; but it is symmetry without variety. They may also 
have the beauty of thrift and good color. An 
apple tree from fifteen to twenty years old has 
this quality of head as shown in Fig. 59. As it 
gi-ows old, however, its form changes materially, 
so that its outline is quite irregular and spirited 
— broader, nobler, and more domestic in expres- 
sion — as will be seen by comparing Fig. 56 with 
Fig. 59- Young sugar maples have similar forms slightly elon- 
gated, as shown by Fig. 60, though with age they break into out- 
lines less monotonous, as shown by Fig. 61, and 
their shadows have more character. The same 
may be said of the horse-chestnuts. The hicko- 
ries and the white oak, assume more varied 
outlines while 5'oung, without losing that balance 
of parts which constitutes symmetry. Sugar 
maples are always symmetric in every stage of 
their growth ; but their early symmetry is insipid, like that of the 
human face when unexceptionable in features, but devoid of ex- 
pression ; or rather like that of the doll-face, 
which can hardly be said to have either features 
or expression, but only beauty of color, the 
semblance of health, and features faintly sug- 
gested. The change in forms of many trees 
which are excessively smooth in their early out- 
lines is towards more and more variety of con- 
tour and depth of shadow as they approach 
maturity, and occasionally in old age they de- 
velop into grandly picturesque trees ; as in the 
case of the white oak and the chestnut among deciduous trees, and 
the cedar of Lebanon among evergreens. 




Fig. 61. 




282 



A C0 3IPAMIS0N OF THE 




Fig. 63. 



Fig. 62. To what extent a tendency to pictur- 

esqueness may go, without loss of symmetry, 
it is not easy to say. Fig. 62 is a well-pro- 
portioned tree of picturesque outline, and 
symmetrical as to the balance of its parts, 
but not in the similitude of its opposite 
halves. It is a form often seen in our native 
locusts and the Scotch elm. Figs. 63 and 
64 are both symmetrical, strikingly pictur- 
esque in outline, and yet totally unlike each other. The first is a 
form quite common to young weeping elms ; but with age, unlike 
most trees, they become more symmetrical 
and smoothly rounded. A full-grown weep- 
ing elm is the most perfect example of the 
union of symmetry, grace, and picturesque- 
ness, among all the trees of the temperate 
zone. 

Tree outlines may be divided into two 
great classes of forms, which merge into each 
other in every variety of combination. These 
are round-headed trees, and conical, or pyra- 
midal trees. 
Fig. 64 is a form characteristic of rapidly grown scarlet oaks or 
ginkgo trees. 

The contrast between this form and that of the young elm 
above, is very marked; yet in outline they are almost equally 
spirited, and in the balance of their oppo- 
site parts are alike perfect. The elm, how- 
ever, has the higher type of beauty, by 
reason of the less mechanical distribution of 
its weight, and the bolder projection of its 
branches. All such spirited forms suggest 
an inherent life and will in the tree, a kind 
of playful disregard of set forms, a youthful 
daring and defiance of the laws of gravita- 
tion that is apt to please persons of imag- 
inative minds. They are always favorites with artists ; while trees 
of more compact and methodical arrangement are preferred by 




Fig. 64. 




CHARACTERISTICS OF TREES. 



283 



persons with whose characters these traits har- 
monize. These observations refer to outhnes 
only ; the expressions of trees produced by other 
traits often modify our preferences for trees of 
favorite forms, by presenting combinations of 
other kinds of beauty in trees of less interest- 
ing outlines. 

Round-Headed Trees. — By round-headed is 
meant simply a general effect of roundness, or of 
smoothness of outline in the several masses that 
compose the head of a tree. The young apple 
tree. Fig. 65, is a perfect type of this form, and 
may more specifically be called a globular tree, 
to distinguish the complete roundness of its 
form from those other round-headed trees which 
are more nearly hemispherical. 

Among round-headed trees the different forms 
of roundness are distinguished by more specific 
names. The sugar maple usually takes the form 
of an egg with the small end up, as shown in 
Fig. 66, and is therefore termed ovate. The 
hickory, Fig. 67, more nearly fills the geometric 
figure that we call oval. The elm. Fig. 68, fills 
one-half a semicircle or more, with its head, and 
is of a class of trees appropriately called um- 
brella-topped ; — technically they are called oblate, 
or flattened-oval. An old apple tree. Fig. 69, 
is a good example of this form, and Fig. 58, 
page 280, of a well grown sassafras, is another.. 

The white oak, Fig. 70, the native chestnut 
{castajiea), and the hickories, all have outlines 
much broken, but the general effect is that of 
rounded forms. 

Many of the pines when grown to ma- 
turity become round-headed trees, though pyra- 
midal when young. 




Fig. 66. 




Fig. 67. 




Fig. 68. 




Fig. 69. 




284 A COMPARISON OF THE 

Fig. 70. Fig. 71. Fig. 72. 





Conical Trees. — This term is sufficiently explicit, and includes 
all those trees of flatly conical form which are usually called 
pyramidal. The latter term refers to those members of the conical 
class which have a breadth about equal to their height. The pear 
tree, Fig. 71, among deciduous trees, is a type of the pyramidal 
form. 

The Norway spruce and hemlocks, Fig. 72, are types of conical 
forms. Most species of poplar (the Lombardy poplar being an 
exception) have the pyramidal-conical form while young, but with 
age they round out into trees of the first class. The Balm of 
Gilead poplar, and the cucumber tree, are good examples of com- 
pact deciduous trees of this class when young, but they all become 
round-headed trees at maturity. 

Nearly all evergreens are conical when young, and very many 
of deciduous trees also. Few of the latter, however, retain this 
character after they are full grown. The white pine when quite 
young is an open-limbed conical tree ; but when twenty years old, 
if it has grown in congenial soil, and an open exposure, it 
assumes an ovate-pyramidal form, with the rounded masses of 
foliage that characterize round-headed trees, but retains otherwise 
the general outlines of the conical class in its after growth. The 
yellow or northern pitch pine {F. rigida) changes from a straggling 
conical form when young, to an irregularly branched oblate-headed 
tree in age. The Scotch pine, which is ol a rounded conical form 
when young, becomes, with age, as picturesquely rounded as the 
oak. The scarlet oak. Fig. 64, is a good example of a straggling 
conical form when young, though it becomes a loose round-headed 
tree at maturity. 



CHARACTERISTICS OF TREES. 



285 



Fig. 73. 





The balsam fir, the Norway spruce, and 
the hemlock are conical from first to last, 
swelling out, however, at maturity, into the 
ovate-conical form, of which the Swiss or 
stone pine {P. cembrd), Fig. 73, is a type in 
every stage of its growth. The cedar of 
Lebanon is a distinctly pyramidal-conical 
tree when young, but widens out as it ma- 
tures, and finally spreads into an immense 
oblate head. The junipers embrace species which are the most 
slenderly conical of evergreens ; the Irish juniper, Fig. 74, having 
rather the form of a slender club than of a cone. Some varieties 
of the Norway spruce, and the European silver-fir, are now being 
propagated, which have branches so pendulous that they are nearly 
as slenderly conical as these junipers. 

Among deciduous trees the Lombardy poplar. Fig, 75, Fig. 75. 
is the type of what are called fastigiate trees ; /. e., trees 
of upright and compact growth, being distinguished from 
other conical trees by a tendency to vertical parallelism 
of the branches. The balsam fir and the Norway spruce 
are both conical trees, but having nearly horizontal 
branches, are not fastigiate ; while the Irish juniper, the 
arbor-vitaes, and the Lombardy poplar, are all fastigiate. 
It needs to be impressed on novices in the study of 
trees that all these various types of trees vary greatly 
among themselves, so that specimens of any species are 
often seen quite different from the usual type of that spe- 
cies. These variations are called varieties, and when very 
marked in their character are named, propagated from, and be- 
come the curiosities of arboriculture. 



Pendulous or Weeping Forms.— Of late years, such num- 
bers of new varieties of pendulous trees have been introduced, 
that they might perhaps be considered as a class ; but in a simple 
classification of trees by their outlines alone, they will be found to 
group easily with one or another of the classes already described. 
Pendulous varieties have been found among nearly every species 



386 



A COMPARISON OF THE 



of our hardy trees, both deciduous and evergreen. Many of them 
are most interesting, curious, and picturesque decorations of small 
lawns. They include every variety of outline, from the columnar 
poplar, the slender junipers, and the majestic weeping willow, down 
to the sorts that creep along the ground. The weeping junipers 
and arbor-vitaes {Thuja) are pensile only at the extremities of their 
limbs ; the new pendulous firs {Abies excelsa pendida and Picea pec- 
tinata petiduld) are slenderly conical, but with branches drooping 
directly and compactly downwards around a central stem. The 
hemlock and Norway spruce firs belong partly to the class of 
weeping trees on account of their pendant plumy spray, and the 
droop of their branches as they grow old, although both are rigidly 
conical trees in their general outlines. The weeping white birches 
have upright branches and pendulous spray when young, but as 
they increase in size the larger branches bend with rambling grace 
in harmony with their spray, and form picturesquely symmetrical 
spreading trees ; while the weeping beech, assuming every uncouth 
contortion when young, becomes a tree of noble proportions, mag- 
nificently picturesque with age, trailing its slender crooked limbs, 
covered with a drapery of dark glossy foliage from its summit to 
the ground. See illustration under head of " The Beech." 



Fig. 76. 

Picturesque Forms. — There are 

trees which cannot easily be classified — 

trees of straggling or eccentric growth, 

like the weeping elm, Fig. 76, the honey 

locust, Fig. 77, and the weeping 

beech. Fig. 104; diffuse and rambling 

trees like young scarlet oaks, old 

larches and pines, and most of the 

birch family. These highly picturesque 

forms are exceptional among park-grown trees, 

and are charming because they are exceptional. 

Some of the preceding illustrations show how 

trees may at the same time be symmetrical and 

picturesque ; and we ask the reader to observe how much more 

interesting: a tree is which combines both beauties than the 




CHARACTERISTICS OF TREES. 287 

lumpish globular types which are commonly admired. But there 
are trees which lose, or never have, symmetry of form, and, like 
some of our other acquaintances, are interesting for their oddi- 
ties. Look, for instance, at the accompanying cut of the strag- 
gling elm, which is a portrait from nature, and the portrait of 
Parson's weeping beech, on page 328. The latter is a luxuriant 
mass of pendant branches and foliage, erratic in all directions, and 
yet one of the most interesting of young trees. It is bizarre, 
like the expressions of a wit. Its unlikeness to other trees is 
its superiority ; but the exuberant vigor that clothes it with such 
masses of glossy foliage, adds to picturesqueness the constant 
loveableness of beautiful health. Of the trees which by nature - 
grow irregularly, the native larch, or hacmatack, is a familiar ex- 
ample, its head generally shooting off to one side after it attains a 
certain height. The osage orange is so rambling that it suggests 
a comparison with those eccentric geniuses who, having decided 
talents in many different directions, attempt to follow them all, and 
whose successes or failures are equally interesting to observers. 
Many specimens of the weeping elm, while young, like the wild 
and not unusual form shown by Fig. 76, are 
fine examples of erratic luxuriance, but they 
usually fill up, with age, and finally become 
models of symmetry. Trees are often made 
picturesque by accidents, as the breaking of 
trunks or important branches by summer tor- 
nados, or the falling of other trees upon them. 
Fig. 78 is an example from nature of a white 
oak upwards of three feet in diameter, which, 
when young, was bent by the fall of some great tree that rested 
upon it, until all the fibres of its wood had conformed to the forced 
position. Fig. 79 is another sketch from nature of an oak that 
has been robbed of a part of its main trunk, and is picturesque 
in consequence of it. Advantage should always be taken of the 
striking effect of such trees by placing gate-ways or conducting 
walks under them, if practicable ; or, if not, then to make them 
parts of groups in such a way that their picturesqueness may be 
brought into high relief. 




288 



A COMPARISON OF THE 



Fig. 78. 




The mere weight, breadth, and height of the trunk and branches 

of a tree, without reference to its 
outhnes or foUage, are the principal 
sources of majesty in trees ; and it 
is when majesty and picturesqueness 
are combined that we reahze our 
higher ideals of grandeur. A tree 
with massive horizontal branches in- 
voluntarily impresses us with a sense 
of the immense inherent strength 
that can sustain so great a weight in a position that most squarely 
defies the' mechanical force of gravity ; and therefore conveys the 
impression of majesty, though it has no extraordinary height or 
dimensions. On the other hand, the tulip-tree, or the cottonwood, 
with a straight and lofty stem from three to six feet in diameter, 
is a grand object by virtue of its weight, and loftiness, and the 
power that its dimensions express, though its head may not be 
proportionally large, nor its bark or branches massive, rough, and 

angular, or its outline irregular enough 
to be picturesque. The sycamore, or 
buttonball, is a familiar example of a 
swelling trunk of majestic size. Its 
bark is as smooth in age as in youth ; 
but it has a certain picturesqueness 
from the contrasts of color caused by 
shedding its thin bark laminse in scales ; 
and majesty by its size, and the bold- 
ness of its divergent branches. 

Mere size of trunk, and weight of branches, affect us so 
powerfully, that when we have lived near a fine old tree, it is not 
so much the beauty of its foliage, or the pleasures of its shade, that 
produce the reverent love we have for it, but the unconscious 
presence of the majesty of Nature impressing us like 

" ♦ * * an emanation from the indwelling spirit of the Deit)'." 

By referring to the vignette of the oak at the head of page 302, 
the effect produced by mere breadth and weight in producing 



Fig. 79. 




CSABAC TERISTIC S OF TBEES. 289 

majesty^ will be readily appreciated. There is neither symmetry 
nor thrift in its rough trunk and huge gnarled branches; but 
there is a power and strength there, which represents the history of 
centuries of growth and battle with the elements. It is a scarred 
old veteran, a forest Jupiter, " a brave old oak." 

Bryant thus apostrophizes one of these old monarchs : 

"Ye have no history. I cannot know 
Who, when the hill-side trees were hewn away, 
Haply two centuries since, bade spare this oak 
Leaning to shade with his irregular arms. 
Low-bent and long, the fount that from his roots 
Slips through a bed of cresses toward the bay. 
; I know not who, but thank him that he left 

The tree to flourish where the acorn fell. 
And join these later days to that far time 
While yet the Indian hunter drew the bow 
In the dim woods, and the white woodman first 
Opened these fields to sunshine, turned the soil 
And strewed the wheat An unremembered Past 
Broods like a presence, 'mid the long gray boughs 
Of this old tree, which has outlived so long 
The flitting generations of mankind." 

The imagination is stirred to an indescribable affection or 
reverence for such ancient trunks that it is difficult to account 
for ; — a something allied to the love or awe with which we regard 
the Deity. 

Among the sources of picturesque effect in old trees are the 
sharp lights and shades caused by the deep furrows and breaks in 
their bark,* the abrupt angles of their great limbs, and the broad 
openings through the masses of their foliage that allow the sun to 
fleck with bright lights parts of the tree which are surrounded with 
deep shadows ; — causing what artists call bold effects. These are 
always inferior in young trees, though there is a vast difference in 
different species of trees of similar age and size in their tendency 
to produce these effects. 



* At Montgomery Place, near Barrytown, on the Hudson, are some old locust trees with bark 
so deeply fiirrowed as to make their trunks picturesque to an extraordinary degree, so that this 
character is a sufficient offset to the meagreness of their stunted tops to save them from destruc- 
tion. A city visitor there once asked the proprietor why she did not have the bark cue off — "it 
looks so very rough 1 " 

19 



290 



A COM FA- Bison OF THE 



Lights and Shadows. — The quality of trees, which is least 
observed except by painters, and yet one which has much to do 
with their expression, and our preferences for one or another sort, 
is their manner of reflecting the light in masses, so that it is 
brought into high relief by the dark shade of openings in the 
foliage, against which the lights are contrasted. If the reader will 
study trees, he will see that the lines of light and shade in the 
Lombardy poplar, Fig. 80, are nearly vertical, and in narrow strips. 
Fig. 80. in harmony with the outlines of the tree, while in the 
balsam fir and the beech. Fig. 81, they are in nearly hori- 
zontal layers, and looking as though the tree had been 
built up in stratas. Most of the arbor-vitse family grow 
so compact that their shadows, seen at a little distance, 
are much like those of solid bodies, the openings in their 
spray being so small, that their surfaces are little broken 
by shadows. Young apple, maple, and chestnut trees, 
present, when young, such unbroken surfaces of leaves, 
that it is proper to say of them, then, that they have in- 
sipid or unformed characters. Compare the cut of the 
young apple. Fig. 82, with an old tree, Fig. 83, or the 
young maple. Fig. 84, with the mature one. Fig. 85, and 
it will be seen that not merely their outlines have changed with 
age, but that there are bolder shadows, and consequently more 
striking lights in the masses of their foliage. 
The native chestnut {Castanea vescd) ex- 
hibits a much more radical change from 
youth to age in its shadows. When young 
it resembles in form the young apple tree ; 
but when middle-aged, it breaks up into 
broader masses than any other native tree, 
except the white oak, which in age it most 
resembles. Fig. 105 shows its characteristic 
break of light and shadow. It will be seen 
that it is neither in vertical nor horizontal lines, but quite irregular, 
and in large, instead of small masses. Herein consists one of the 
characteristics that distinguish majestic, or grand, from simply beau- 
tiful trees. The sugar maple, as shown in Fig. 85, is broken into 



Fig. 81. 




CHARACTERISTICS OF TREES. 



291 



FXG. 82. 




Fig. 83. 




clearly-defined masses of light and shade, but 
the masses are small — too narrow and too nu- 
merous to produce the grand effects of the 
larger openings in the oak and chestnut, though 
our cut shows larger lights and shadows than 
are usual in the maple. The brighter green 
and more abundant foliage of the maple make 
amends for this inferiority, but it is none the less an inferiority. 
An examination of the structure of these trees in winter will show 
why the oak and the chestnut mass their foliage 
more nobly. It is because they have fewer and 
larger branches, not radiating like those of the 
maple with uniform divergence, but breaking 
out here and there at right angles with the part 
from which they issue. The consequence is, 
that when they are in leaf, the projecting leaf surfaces and the 
shadow openings are larger and nobler in expression. The hick- 
ories are all observable for the massiveness of their lights and 
shadows, and, unlike the chestnut, they assume 
this character while yet young. By the shadows 
alone it would not be easy to distinguish a 
hickory from an oak or chestnut, though they 
are readily distinguishable at sight by difference 
of contour — the hickory being proportionally 
taller and squarer than the others. There is, 
however, a difference in the shadows that close observers will mark : 
the wood being more elastic, the branches of old trees bend to 
form curved lines, which give the shadows a similar general di- 
rection, as will be seen on Fig. S6. This effect 
may be seen in many other trees, and is more 
noticeable in the lower than the upper part of 
the tree. There are many species which can be 
distinguished readily by this peculiarity in their 
shadows in connection with their contours. The 
sassafras. Fig. 87, naturally takes an umbrella 
form of head, and its foliage divides into cur- 
vilinear strata, or rather appears so as seen 



Fig. 84. 




Fig. 85. 




292 



A C03IPARIS0N OF THE 



Fig. 86. 




from the ground. The linden tree when old, and the common 
dog-wood {Cornus florida), have similar lines of shadows. 

If we classify trees by their surface lights and shadows alone, 
they will divide into three classes, viz: first, 
those whose lights an4 shadows fall in lines 
approaching the vertical ; second, those which 
divide into strata horizontally ; third, those 
which break into irregular masses. The Lom- 
bardy poplar will be the type of the former , the 
common beech. Fig. 88, of the second ; and the 
white oak of the latter. Most evergreen trees 
belong to the second group. The first class 
comprises a comparatively small number of 
trees, but many which belong to one of the last two groups at 
maturity, are members of the first when young. 

The cedar of Lebanon is the most remarkable of trees in the 
second class. It is the embodiment of majesty 
in its class, as the oak of the third class. Of our 
native trees, the white pine is the grandest type 
among evergreens east of the Rocky Mountains, 
of trees with stratified shadows, as the beech is 
among deciduous trees. The pin oak is a fa- 
miliar example of stratified foliage. Its foliage 
layers are as distinctly marked as those of the 
beech, but its branches droop more ; and are so twiggy, thorny, and 
inter-tangled, that its expression is ruder and its shadows less noble 
than those of the pine or beech. The Nor- 
way spruce and the hemlock, though the 
small spray falls with plume-like grace, and 
the branches droop from the trunk, divide 
into masses of light and shadow in nearly 
horizontal lines. All the trees which main- 
tain this stratified character of shadows 
have more sameness of outline and monot- 
ony of expression than those which break 
into larger and irregular masses. The 
- weeping willow, when full grown, with all its delicacy of foliage and 





CHARACTERISTICS OF TREES. 



293 



Fig. 



Trees 



softness of outline, becomes majestic and noble by the massive 
irregularity of its shadows ; while the Lombardy poplars, Fig. 
89, stratified vertically by shadows as of long bundles 
of foliaged faggots, convey an impression of having all 
been cast in a common mould. The same effect is 
produced by the upright junipers, the arbor- vitaes, and 
other trees of conical outlines and fastigiate shadow 
lines. Such repetitions of the same formal outlines, how- 
ever, tend to make them appropriate connecting links 
between the regularity and symmetry of street improve- 
ments, of which they form a part, and the wild graces of 
nature which are in contrast with the repetitions and 
parallelisms of architectural art. Such trees are, there- 
fore, used with happy effect in connection with garden 
walks and terraces, and near buildings. But they must 
never be seen in numbers together, or they produce the 
effect of a superfluity of exclamation points in composition, 
like the Norway spruce, though less formal in outline and shadows 
than those just named, have still so much of this same uniformity 
and even rigidity of expression, that they need to be introduced 
much more sparingly among other trees, near to architecture of any 
kind, than those of more diversified forms and shadows. One 
spiry-top tree will serve to give spirit to a whole group of round- 
headed trees or shrubs, while a group of spiry-top trees with one 
round-headed tree in it, at once conveys the impression of incon- 
gruity. Spiry-top trees should be considered as condiments in the 
landscape — never as main features. Trees and shrubs of formal 
outlines are the natural adjuncts of grounds arranged on a geometric 
plan, while those of freer growth are most becoming where geo- 
metric lines are avoided. In speaking of the "wild graces of nature " 
as in contrast with architectural art, we do not mean to convey the 
impression that such a contrast is undesirable. On the contrary, the 
most perfect works of art in landscape gardening are those in which 
the free graces of nature are so arranged, that the architectural 
features of the place will look as if they had been made for just such 
a setting. Contrast does not imply want of harmony ; it is a part of 
harmony ; it is rest from monotony ; it is as light to shadow. 



294 jl comparison of the 

Evergreen and Deciduous Trees and Shrubs Com- 
pared. — It is a common complaint among tree-growers that ever- 
greens are neglected more than other trees, considering their 
peculiar merits in giving winter as well as summer verdure. We 
do not agree with this view. The whole coniferae or evergreen 
tribe were, according to the records of geology, an earlier and (if 
the harmony of progress in the development of both the vegetable 
and animal worlds is believed) necessarily an inferior order of vege- 
tation to the later forms of deciduous trees. And we think that 
those lovers of trees who study them in middle age and maturity, 
rather than in their nursery growth and infantile graces, will rank 
very few of the evergreens as peers in richness and cheerfulness 
of verdure, or grace and variety of expression, with the finest spe- 
cimens of deciduous trees. During the first twenty years of their 
growth, however, their most beautiful characteristics are so con- 
spicuous, and afford to the novice in the study of trees so many 
novel graces of form, color and growth — their little pyramids of 
verdure gleaming brightly through snows in winter, or resting 
lovingly on the lawn and perfuming the air with their balsamic 
breath in summer — that they seem to us more like our own chil- 
dren, than those more aspiring trees of deciduous breeds which 
stretch away upwards with rambling vigor while young, and whose 
beauties begin to multiply only after their branches sway in the 
air far over our heads. The very peculiarity which, in youth, 
makes the evergreens, as a class, more charming than deciduous 
trees, viz : feathery gracefulness of their foliage and outlines, is 
reversed at maturity, when most of them become more rigid and 
monotonous in outline, and less cheerful in expression, than the 
average of deciduous trees. There is a comparative sameness of 
form and manner of branching among evergreens, in marked con- 
trast with the infinite variety among deciduous trees. 

But though the coniferae may not take equal rank with deciduous 
trees in the variety of their forms or expressions at maturity, they 
certainly offer the most pleasing studies for the beginner in gar- 
denesque planting. Many new species of a semi-dwarf character 
have been introduced within a few years, and it has also been 
found that many of the larger species may, by good trimming, be 



CHARACTERISTICS OF TREES. 295 

kept within a size suited to the Hmited spaces of suburban lots, 
either as single specimens, or as hedge screens. For the latter 
purpose, where it is desirable to break the force of winds, or hide 
unsightly objects, they may be grown and cut to almost any height 
and form necessary for the purpose. While deciduous trees and 
shrubs, which m summer iorm massy walls of verdure, are all dis- 
robed, and suffer the wintry wmds to whistle freely through their 
bare branches, the evergreen screen is still a thick wall of protec- 
tion to whatever of less height is under its lee. 

One of the most striking beauties oi evergreens is the manner 
in which their branches bear great burdens of snow, and bend un- 
der them. The softly-rounded drooping masses of light on the - 
outer boughs, relieved by dark recesses in the foliage, make every 
tree, at such times, a study for a picture. 

The winter color of evergreens is much more affected by the 
temperature than most persons suppose. In extremely cold weather 
most evergreens become dull in color, and resume their brightness 
only with returning warmth. This is always observed in the red 
cedar, and some of the arbor-vitaes ; the former turning to a dingy 
brown in cold weatlier ; and the latter, though less discolored, are 
much duller in tone during severe weather ; but with the return of 
the warm days of spring both resume their normal brightness and 
purity of color. Even the foliage of the white pine shows a very 
marked change from the effect of cold; often turning to a dull 
grayish green when the cold is greatest, though with the return of 
warmth the same leaves regain their warm green color. These 
facts illustrate that even evergreens are most beautiful in summer, 
except so far as their masses of foliage afford a resting-place in 
winter for the snow, and thus create beautiful effects peculiar to 
themselves which deciduous trees cannot rival. 

The beauty of trees, whether deciduous or evergreen, depends 
very much upon the character of light in the atmosphere. The 
most beautiful foliage of a deciduous tree, under the leaden sky of 
a winter day, would be most gloomy and unattractive compared 
with its expression when bathed in the bright light of a June day, 
or in the golden air of an August sunset. The summer light with 
its golden shimmer is essential to the highest charm of trees ; and it 



396 A C0 3IPABIS0N OF THE 

will be found quite impossible to produce with evergreens, in winter, 
any of that glow of beauty which makes the heart throb with silent 
love for verdant nature in summer. 

But in the warm days of April and May, when the evergreens 
have resumed their true colors, and seem by the sudden change 
from their wintry dullness to fairly smile a welcome to spring, their 
superiority to deciduous trees is most apparent. Their beauty is 
then ripe, and grounds that are stocked (not too densely) with 
them — especially the smaller species and varieties — have a finish 
that nothing else, at that season, can give. In June and July also, 
their long plumes and tufts of leaves open and droop with a grace 
of which there is no counterpart among deciduous trees or shrub- 
bery, superior as the latter are in amplitude of foliage and splendor 
of blossoms. Evergreens, especially the firs, with age are apt to 
become gloomy and formal, while deciduous trees are generally 
improved with age. 

The valuable acquisitions from abroad of new species and varie- 
ties of evergreens adapted to the embellishment of suburban lots, 
is very great ; and the number growing within the limits of our own 
country, and still almost unknown except by a few horticultural 
pioneers, is astonishing. The new varieties of old species, which, 
by the propagating arts of the nurserymen are multiplied for the 
public benefit, are also numerous ; and the homely adage still holds 
good when we are searching for novelties among trees that are not 
natives of our own country, that "we may go further and fare 
worse." The grandest and most beautiful evergreen that grows in 
our climate is the white pine ; which, to our shame be it said, is 
little known or appreciated except for its value to cut down, and 
saw into the lumber used in our houses. The native hemlock, 
when young, is still the most picturesque in its outline, and deli- 
cately graceful in foliage, of all hardy evergreens. The Norway 
spruce, which is probably the most valuable tree of its t}'pe, is not 
a native ; and is largely indebted to its foreign name for its great 
popularity and universal cultivation ; while our native black spruce, 
very similar, and scarcely inferior to it, is little known. 

For elegant stnall pleasure-grounds, however, the newly intro- 
duced dwarf varieties and the curious sports from old species, are 



CHABACTEBISTICS OF TREES. 297 

novelties which deserve to be studied and planted more than the 
larger and nobler evergreens. 

In conclusion, we hope that in canvassing a few of the qualities 
of evergreens as compared with deciduous trees and shrubs, we 
have called attention to the best qualities of both, rather than 
prejudiced any mind against either. 

Warmth of Trees in Winter and Coolness in Summer. — 
Our clear-headed horticulturist, Thomas Meehan, of Germantown, 
Pa., has treated this subject so well that we take the liberty of 
adopting his language. 

" We all know that a stove throws out heat by reason of the fuel 
it consumes, and that' in a like manner the food taken by an animal 
is, as so much fuel to a stove, the source from whence animal heat 
is derived, and which is given off to the surrounding atmosphere, 
precisely as heat is given off from the stove ; but it is not so well 
known that trees give off heat in the same way. They feed ; their 
food is decomposed ; and during decomposition heat is generated, 
and the surplus given off to the atmosphere. 

" If any one will examine a tree a few hours after the cessation 
of a snow storm, he will find that the snow for perhaps a quarter 
of an inch from the stem of the tree, has been thawed away, more 
or less according to the severity of the cold. This is owing to the 
waste heat from the tree. If he plants a hyacinth four inches or 
more under the surface of the earth in November, and it becomes 
immediately frozen in, and stays frozen solid till March, yet, when 
it shall then be examined, it will be found that by the aid of its 
internal heat, the bud has thawed itself through the frozen soil to the 
surface of the ground. 

" These facts show the immense power in plants to generate 
heat, and the more trees there are on a property the warmer a 
locality becomes. 

" Evergreens, besides possessing this heat-dispensing property, 
have the additional merit of keeping in check cold winds from 
other quarters, thus filling, as it were, the twofold office of stove 
and blanket."* 

* Am. Hort. Annual, 1S67. 



298 



CHARACTERISTICS OF TREES. 



The simple facts, as stated by Mr, Meehan, have so great sig- 
nificance that no intelligent man who thinks of them can fail to 
appreciate the immense influence of trees on climates ; and every 
suburban home maybe made to feel in some degree their ameliora- 
ting effect. 

In riding to a suburban home from business in a city, we 
have felt the effect of mere grass alone, without trees, in cooling 
the air in hot summer days. Narrow streets, with high houses, are 
much cooler at such times than broad streets and open unshaded 
ground ; and the first feeling in leaving a city office and riding 
across the bare suburbs that usually intervene between the busi- 
ness part of a city and its pleasant tree-embowered residences, 
is, that the city street is the most comfortable place. But when 
we reach a grass-covered field a trifle less dryness in the air is per- 
ceptible ; and when the shadows of trees are reached, there will be 
a difference of several degrees between the air under them and 
that in the open highway ; and not merely a difference of tem- 
perature as indicated by the thermometer, but also an increased 
moisture that gives the sensation of a greater difference than the 
thermometer measures. 




CHAPTER II. 

DESCEIPTIONS AND ORDER OF ARRANGEMENT. 

IN the following descriptions little attention will be paid to the 
uses of trees in the arts, except only their pleasant usefulness 
as food for eyes that hunger for all forms of natural beauty. 
Enjoyment of trees, like enjoyment of sunlight, moonlight, 
and flowers, is not to be measured by money values, nor to be 
jostled by statistics of the worth of timber to the artisan, or of- 
shade for the farmer's stock. Yet whoever loves trees will find 
language inadequate to describe their expressions, or even some of 
their most common peculiarities, though they be ever so obvious to 
the admiring eye. We would gladly be able to furnish engravings 
of every tree and shrub described ; but to do this requires the com- 
mand of artists whose work would involve the expenditure of a 
small fortune. Few persons are aware of the skill and care required 
to make a finished drawing on wood of even a single shrub or tree. 
We do not mean by a shrub or tree such a generic shrub or tree as 
any good sketcher may easily represent, but a speaking portrait of 
some beautiful specimen, with its animated form, its sunny expres- 
sion, and its shadowy dimples ; with its drapery of peculiar leaves, 
and all its airy graces. Artists who can thus faithfully portray 
them are not easily found, or, if found, are usually engaged in 
larger and more profitable fields of art. 

In reading descriptions of trees and shrubs, the reader must bear 
in mind the great variety of wants and tastes to be provided for. 
Persons who are enthusiasts for novelties desire to learn as much 
as possible of the appearance and habits of the latest acquisitions ; 
while a larger class of persons, who need no great number or 
variety of shrubs or trees, are not less exigent to have pretty full 
information of just those things which they do happen to grow or to 
want. It is therefore necessary to give as full descriptions of new 
things as of old ones of greater value ; and to mention, at least, 
many trees and shrubs which are neither rare nor very valuable, but 



300 DESCRIPTIONS AND 

are often seen and therefore referred to. In the beginning of the 
chapter on Shrubs, pages 455 to 459, are some remarks on the con- 
siderations which influence a choice of shrubs (some of which apply 
equally to trees), to which the reader's attention is invited. 

Order of Arrangement. — It is extremely difficult to follow 
any system for the classification of trees and shrubs that will 
greatly facilitate the reader in finding readily what he wishes to 
read of, or that will save him constant references to an index. 
Botanical classifications, when thoroughly made, require quite too 
much familiarity with botany to give them any value to the mass 
of readers who know only the a, b, c's of the science ; yet they 
must, after all, be the ground-work of the most convenient arrange- 
ment for descriptions. Though the same botanical family — often 
the same species — has plants of every variety of size, from ground- 
lings to lofty trees, which differ from each other in their larger 
characteristics as much as from some members of other families 
with which they have little botanical connection, yet, zVz general, 
it will be found that grouping by botanical relationship brings together 
those lohich resemble each other in the greatest number of particulars. 

To classify trees and shrubs by their sizes, would separate 
family groups, and scatter them promiscuously among each other, 
while in all respects but size, their similarity of traits make it most 
easy to describe them by families. Take the oaks, for instance. 
The different species are numbered by hundreds, all having some 
marks of consanguinity in their general appearance, but quite 
diverse in forms and sizes. The immense variety of species of the 
first differ still more among themselves ; — varying in size from lofty 
trees to pigmy shrubs. If we class them with evergreen trees 
according to their varying sizes, they would become sadly mixed 
among the pines, junipers, arbor-vitaes, yews, and a score of newer 
evergreen families. If classified by forms alone, the same confusion 
■would arise. It is best therefore to keep botanical family groups 
together. All oaks, for example, large and small, are described 
consecutively under the head of The Oak ; and as most of them 
are trees, they are described under the general head of Deciduous 
Trees ; though there are varieties which are really shrubs only. 



ORDER OF AR R AN G E 3IE NT. 301 

The lilac family, on the other hand, being w? general of a shrubby 
growth, that is, having several stems springing from the base of the 
trunk to form a top, will all be described under the general head of 
Shrubs, although some of them assume a tree-like character. 
Many of the smaller species of evergreens, like the arbor-vitaes, 
tree-box, junipers, and yews, are of shrubby, rather than tree-like 
appearance ; but as they finally tend to make a single stem, they 
have by long custom been classed with trees, though some of their 
smaller varieties are quite diminutive by the side of common garden 
shrubs. 

It will be seen by these examples that among descriptions of 
trees are included many of the smallest materials that enter into the 
composition of shrubberies ; and among the descriptions of shrubs 
will be many quite tree-like species and varieties of abnormal vigor, 
which, if classed by their own characteristics rather than of the 
family to which they belong, would be described among trees. A 
copious table of contents giving both the popular and the botanical 
names for all trees and shrubs described, facilitates better than any 
new classification, a reference to the subject sought. We shall, 
however, in an appendix, give some tabular classifications on the 
basis of sizes and forms, for the convenience of those desiring to 
make selections, who can by this means compare them in abbre- 
viation. 

We shall begin our descriptions of deciduous trees with the oak, 
and follow with other trees, somewhat in the order of their size and 
importance in the common estimation, but do not desire the reader 
to infer that those which happen to be described towards the last, 
are therefore of less value for decorative purposes than those which 
precede them. 

The descriptions will be made in four classes, as follows : 

Deciduous Trees. 
Deciduous Shrubs. 
Evergreen Trees and Shrubs. 
Vines and Creepers. 

Each of these classes will be the subject of a chapter. 



CHAPTER III 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 




OAK. 



Qiiercus. 



"A little of thy steadfastness, 
Rounded with leafy gracefulness, 
Old oak give me ; — 

That the world's blasts may round me blow, 
And I yield gently to and fro. 
While my stout-hearted trunk below, 
And firm-set roots unshaken be." 

Lowell. 

TO convey by words alone an idea of the grand and 
varied expressions of full-grown oaks would be a task 
almost as difficult as to impart by description the 
awful sense of sublimity inspired by rolling thunder. 
In a country where the oak abounds in all the forests it might 
seem that it would be sufficiently familiar to most persons ; 
nevertheless, it is a fact f/ia^ not more than one American out of a 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 303 

thousand has ever seen the full expansion of a white oak grown to 
maturity in open ground! Downing's excellent description of the 
forest monarch is so apt that we here transcribe it ; premising that 
such general remarks on the oak usually apply to the white oaks, 
which at maturity are the noblest of all the species. 

"As an ornamental object we consider the oak the most varied 
in expression, the most beautiful, grand, majestic, and picturesque 
of all deciduous trees. * * * When young its fine foliage 
(singularly varied in many of our native species) and its thrifty 
form render it a beautiful tree. But it is not till the oak has at- 
tained considerable size that it displays its true character, and only 
when at an age that would terminate the existence of most other 
trees that it exhibits all its magnificence. Then its deeply-fur- 
rowed trunk is covered with mosses ; its huge branches, each a 
tree, spreading horizontally from the trunk with great boldness, its 
trunk of huge dimension, and 'its high top bald with dry antiquity' — 
all these, its true characteristics, stamp the oak, as Virgil has ex- 
pressed it in his Georgics — 

' Jove's own tree, 
That holds the woods in awful sovereignty." 

While oaks which have already attained great size are the 
noblest environments of a home, yet for some reasons they are 
less desirable to plant in small grounds than many other trees 
which grow to noble size and beautiful proportions in less time, 
though they may not finally develop so grandly. The finest species 
of the oak are late in leaf, and of slow growth; are addicted to 
holding their dry dead leaves upon the branches through the win- 
ter and early spring, and then dropping them week after week into 
the fresh grass of spring lawns just when we want them brightest 
and cleanest. And the younger and thriftier the tree the greater 
its tenacity in holding the old leaves. This fault is principally 
confined to the white and Turkey oaks. 

It will surprise most Americans to know the great number of 
species of oak that are indigenous in this country, and in their 
own neighborhoods. Loudon in his Arboretum Brittanicum enu- 
merates about two hundred species and varieties of oaks known 



304 DECIDUOUS TREES. 

thirty years ago. Nearly one-half of these are natives of our con- 
tinent. In the following descriptions of a part of them we shall 
endeavor to name only those which are growing wild in most 
neighborhoods, and are therefore likely to be objects of study to 
those interested in trees ; and those foreign sorts which are intrin- 
sically beautiful, and known to be hardy, or nearly so. 

There being a great variety of oaks, we hope to facilitate a 
reference to them by their classification into native and foreign 
oaks, and subdividing the native oaks into groups, as follows : — 

I. The White Oak Group ; embracing those trees having lobed 
leaves with rounded edges and light-colored scaly bark. Leaves 
dying an ashy or violet brown. 

II. The Chestnut Oak Group ; leaves toothed, with rounded 
edges, dying a dirty white or yellow color. Bark resembling that 
of the chestnut tree. 

III. The Red Oak group; having deeply-lobed and sharp- 
pointed leaves, which turn to a deep red, scarlet or purple. Bark 
smooth when young, and never deeply furrowed. Cup large in 
proportion to the acorn. 

IV. The Black Oak Group ; leaves obtusely lobed, and gen- 
erally with points. Bark quite dark, and generally much broken 
by furrows. 

V. Willow Oaks ; leaves entire, narrow and small. Sub-ever- 
green. General appearance of trees when without leaves, like the 
black oak. 



The White Oak Group. 

The White Oak {Querctis alba). — This is the grandest, the 
most common, and the most useful of our northern oaks. Al- 
though indigenous, it is almost identical with the British oak 
Q. pedunculata and Q. sessiflora. Though we have no such aged 
and immense trees as can be found of those varieties in Britain, 
our white oaks may in time become such trees. The great speci- 
mens which may have been found growing in open ground in the 
early settlement of the country while the settlers were compara- 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 



305 







THE VALLEY-ROAD OAK OF ORANGE, N. J. 



lively poor, were sadly valuable for ship-timber, and therefore 
sacrificed on the altars of profit and utility. Trees grown to great 
size in the forest cannot be preserved when their supporting trees 
are cut from around them, and we must therefore leave to future 
centuries to record to what size the trees now growing in open 
ground may eventually attain. The Wadsworth oak, near Gen- 
esee, N. Y., the valley-road oak of Orange, N. J., of which the 
above engraving is a portrait, and a few others scattered at rare 
intervals over the country, are trees of great size, large enough to 
show that age only is wanting to give them the colossal dimen- 
sions of trunk and branches that British oaks have attained, and, 
compared with whichj our largest are mostly but moderate-sized 
trees. The Wadsworth oak probably comes nearer to the great 
English exemplars than any other, having a trunk thirty-six feet in 
circumference. The valley-road oak, just mentioned, has an unusually 

20 



306 DECIDUOUS TREES. 

small trunk (about five feet in diameter) for so great a ramification 
of branches, which cover a space upwards of ninety feet in breadth ; 
but there is a majestic solidity in the first divergence of the great 
branches which promises in time to make this an oak of the first 
magnitude, though it is too rotund to be one of great picturesque- 
ness. Its height is about eighty feet. There are some superb 
specimens in a pasture field near the grounds of Robert Buist, Esq., 
south of Philadelphia, which measure nearly one hundred feet 
across the spread of their branches, with trunks about fifteen feet 
in circumference, exhibiting all the grand characteristics of full 
grown oaks. Yet these dimensions are not great compared with 
those of living British and German oaks, some of which range from 
forty to sixty feet in circumference of trunk ; others from one 
hundred and twenty to one hundred and eighty feet across the 
greatest extension of their branches, and from ninety to one hun- 
dred and forty feet in height ! One shades an area large enough 
for two thousand four hundred men to stand in comfortably, and 
another drips over an area of three thousand square yards, " and 
would have afforded shelter to a regiment of nearly one thousand 
horse ! " The trunk of the Cowthorpe oak, which is said to have 
been the prototype of the Eddystone light-house, exceeds in size, 
where it meets the earth, the base of that wonderful structure. 
Many halls in England, of considerable size, are floored with single 
plank from trees grown on the estates where used. Even as 
timber trees, our greatest forest-grown oaks are not equal to their 
venerable European relatives. The author has had a 
Fig. 9z. forest oak cut from which ten cords of wood were cut, 
which is about two-thirds the cubic contents of the largest 
British trees. This is not an unusual size in our forests ; 
but, alas, very unusual in trees that are rooted, and low- 
spreading enough to resist the gales on open ground. 
Probably the best exemplars of the oak family in our 
country are the live oaks of the Gulf States ; some of 
^^f which have been preserved, and rival in the horizontal 

extension of their branches, the greatest oaks of 
England. 

The accompanying cut. Fig. 92, shows the form of 




DECIDUOUS TREES. 307 

the leaf of the white oak, and the characteristic form of the tree 
when quite young — say from five to ten years after planting from 
the nursery. In rich and cultivated soil the growth of young white 
oaks is about two feet a year, but in ordinary soils is not much 
more than half this. The depth and culture of the soil makes more 
difference in the rate of growth of the white oak than of the sugar 
maple or chestnut ; and adds to the beauty of its foliage in the same 
proportion. The latter trees will often show luxuriant masses of 
leaves in soils too poor to produce more than a meagre foliage on 
the oak. When grown in soils that force a rapid growth, it de- 
velops early those broad masses of light and shadow which, in its 
later growth, in connection with the grand horizontal projection 
and picturesque irregularity of its branches, makes it a favorite tree 
of most landscape painters. The leaves change in autumn to a 
dull brown or purple, and hang on thrifty trees till they are fairly 
pushed off by the growth of new leaves the following May. 

The Swamp White Oak. Q. tomentosa. — This 
common native oak, one of the most valuable for its * 9^* 

timber, is also one of the most beautiful ; and forms 
a connecting link between the chestnut oaks and the 
white oak. In form, when young, it closely resembles 
the burr oak, as shown in Fig. 95 ; but its bark is 
lighter colored, smoother, and more scaly. The 
branches are more numerous than those of the white 
oak, especially the smaller spray, and disposed to droop grace- 
fully as the tree attains a large size. The leaves, the form of 
which is shown by Fig. 93, are a shining green on the upper 
surface and whitish on the under side ; occasional specimens dis- 
playing leaves so white when turned by the wind, as to be 
observed among the oaks for this peculiarity. Its growth is a 
little more rapid than that of the white oak or burr oak, but less 
rapid, when young, than the red and black oaks. At middle age, 
however, say from twenty years old and upwards, no oak grows, 
more rapidly. Fig. 94 is a portrait of a beautiful specimen 
growing on the grounds of T. Van Amringe, near Mamaroneck, 
N. Y., in a meadow near the waters of Long Island Sound. The 




308 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 



Fig. 94 



form is more elm-like than the 
usual character of the tree, but 
serves to illustrate one form of 
this species. It becomes a tree of 
the largest size, little inferior, in 
rich cool soils, to the white oak. 
Though named swamp white oak, 
it is by no means a swamp tree, 
but is generally found in such rich 
moist soils as the whitewood and 
the magnolias delight in. We think 
it the best of all the first family of 
oaks for decorative planting, be- 
cause, in a proper soil, it will give the quickest return in beauty. 
It is reputed the finest of all the northern oaks for straight ship 
timber, and the most durable in the ground. 




Fig, 95. 



The Burr Oak or Over-Cup White Oak. Qtier- 
cus macrocarpa. — The accompanying sketch is char- 
acteristic of the burr oak when young ; with age it 
assumes a spreading form, very similar to, but smaller, 
than the white oak ; the bark is darker colored, and 
rougher, and the branches have a corky and ragged 
look. The leaf is the largest and most beautiful 
among oak leaves, and has a form so peculiar as to 
attract attention, and is admirably adapted to use in 
architectural designs. It has been used with beauti- 
ful effect as the principal leaf in wrought-stone capi- 
tals. The acorn in its cup is also a picturesque little 
object, and has given the name of burr to the tree on 
account of the cup being rough, shaggily fringed, and almost 
enveloping the acorn like a burr. Grown in open rich ground it is 
a decidedly handsome tree in summer, but rude in its winter ap- 
pearance. The oak openings in some of the western States are 
largely composed of this variety. Nearly every home in beautiful 
Kalamazoo, Michigan, is surrounded by these trees " to the manor 
born." When thus found wild, the tree needs much internal prun- 





DECIDUOUS TREES. 309 

ing of dead branches and twigs, and rarely receives the thorough 
draining and enrichment of the soil without which few oaks develop 
a high order of foliage beauty. The rate of growth may be inferred 
from the growth of one planted by Moses Brown, of Germantown, 
Pa., a mere whip twent}' years ago. It is now forty-five feet high, 
thirty feet in diameter, and foliaged to the ground ; the form is 
distinctly conical, but at the same time so irregular in outline as to 
be quite picturesque. 

The Post Oak. Q. obtusiloba. — A dark-leaved 
spreading oak found generally near the sea. It is not Fig. 96. 
found much north of New York. Its leaf resembles 
the black oak in color and texture, but the lobes are 
rounded instead of pointed. The branching of the 
tree is like that of a rugged white oak. There is a 
superb specimen growing on the beach at Orienta, in 
Mamaroneck, N. Y., near the residence of Thomas S. Shepherd, 
Esq., which measures upwards of ninety feet across the spread of 
its branches. Usual height and breadth about fifty feet. 

The Water Oak, Q. aqicatica, is a dwarf species, native of New 
Jersey and Maryland, which, as far as we are aware, has not been 
thought worthy of cultivation. 

The Holly-leaved or Bear Oak, Q. illzdfolia, is a native 
dwarf, covering vast tracts of barren mountain slopes or table lands 
where no other tree can resist the winds. In such situations it 
grows from three to ten feet high. Probably of no value for home- 
grounds ; but one of those sorts that ought to be experimented with 
to try the effect upon it of a lowland soil and climate. 

The Water White Oak of the South, Q. lyrata, is a 
swamp variety, with leaves resembling the burr oak, but smaller 
and less curiously lobed. It grows principally in the southern 
States, and there attains a height of eighty feet. Michaux states 
that plants of it grow finely in a dry soil in the north of 
France. 



310 DE C inUOUS TREES. 

The Olivc-acorn or Mossy-cup Oak. Q. olivei/ornus.— This 
variety is known by some under the name of mossy-cup oak. As 
the burr oak has a still mossier cup, it seems to us that the botani- 
cal name which Loudon has anglicized, and which is given above, 
is more appropriate. Its acorn is long, like the olive, and nearly 
covered by its cup, but not so completely as that of the burr oak. 
The leaf of this variety is like a white oak leaf, elongated, and more 
deeply lobed. Its bark is like that of the white oak, but the growth 
is more slender, and the branches tend to droop gracefully. A 
native of the northern States. 

The Chestnut Oak Group. 

The Chestnut Oak. Quercus prinus palustris. — 
Fig. 97. ^ \oi\.j tree found principally below the latitude of 
42°. It is disposed to form a straight trunk, with- 
out branches to a considerable height, .and then to 
spread into a broad tufted head. Fig. 97 shows its 
form of leaf We have not had the good fortune to 
see any trees of this vasxoX:^ grown to maturity in 
open ground, and cannot, therefore, speak of its usual 
character as an ornamental tree ; but our impression is that for 
massy and glossy foliage, and rapidity of growth, it is surpassed 
by few of the oaks. When young its growth is long-limbed like the 
red oaks. At all times a cleanly-looking tree. 

The Rock Chestnut Oak. Q. prinus monticola. — Down- 
ing considers this one of the finest of northern oaks, and states that 
it grows on the most barren and rocky soils ; thus showing its 
afiEinity to its namesake and prototype, the chestnut tree. " In open 
elevated situations it spreads widely, and forms a head like that of 
an apple tree." The leaves are broader proportionally, and less 
acutely pointed than those of the preceding variety, by which, and 
its lower and broader form, it can be recognized. We consider 
this the finest of the chestnut oak family, and for small grounds the 
most desirable oak to plant, being more opulent in leaves than 
any other. 




DECIDUOUS TREES. 



311 



The Yellow Chestnut Oak. Q. p. accuminata. — This variety 
differs little from the Q. priniis. The leaves are more pointed, 
and their petioles are longer. This is not the yellow oak of western 
woodsmen, which is a variety of the red oak, Q. rubra. 

The Dwarf Chestnut Oak or Chinquapin. Q. primes 
pumila. — " A low tree twenty to thirty feet high. Highly orna- 
mental when in full bloom, and most prolific in acorns when but 
three or four feet high " (Loudon). We have not seen it in rich 
open ground. 

The Red Oak Group. 



These are all distinguished by a more upright 
growth of their branches when young than the white 
oaks i resembling in this quality the chestnut oaks. 
The branches generally form an acute angle with the 
main stem, and grow most from their points, so that 
they are straighter and longer in one direction than 
those of the white oak group, and consequently form 
trees more open and straggling. The bark is quite 
smooth and lighter colored till the tree attains con- 
siderable size, and even on full grown trees is never 
deeply furrowed. Their growth is more rapid than 
any of the white oak group, and about the same 
as that of the chestnut oaks. The above cut gives 
the characteristic form of young trees, and the usual form of the 
leaf. 




The Red Oak. Quercus rubra. — A large rapid-growing tree 
common in all parts of the northern States and Canada. Its early 
growth is upright but rather straggling. The bark is smooth until 
the tree is about twenty years old, when it becomes somewhat 
furrowed, but not deeply, like that of the black oak. The branches 
are not numerous, but straight and smooth, set at an angle of about 
45° with the stem ; the foliage tending to their extremities. In 
color the foliage varies considerably. On the coast of Maine we 



312 BE CIDUOUS TREES. 

observed this tree growing in open fields, with a broad flat head, 
and a golden green tone when the sunlight was upon it that con- 
trasted beautifully with the darker evergreen foliage of that region. 
But in the neighborhood of the Hudson, and at the west, this .fine 
tone is not common on the red oak, nor is the peculiarly flat top so 
often seen. It is barely possible that the tree we have seen on the 
coast of Maine is the gray oak, Q. ambigua, of Michaux, which is 
a northern oak partaking of the character of both the red and the 
scarlet oaks. But we have had no means of ascertaining the cor- 
rectness of this surmise. The most marked trait of the red oak as 
an ornamental tree is the dull crimson or purplish red color of its 
leaves in the fall ; but as it is much less brilliant than the follow- 
ing, and in no respect a finer tree, the scarlet oak will be preferred. 

The Scarlet Oak. Q. coccinea. — This diflers from the pre- 
ceding but little except in its leaves, which are more deeply lobed, 
more sharply pointed, and have longer petioles. They are smooth 
and shining on both sides. Their autumn color is a bright scarlet 
or yellowish red, of uncommon intensity, and at that season it 
has no superior among trees. It is rather an elegant tree at all 
times, and one of the cleanest limbed of the oaks in winter. The 
tendency of its foliage to the extremities of the branches often 
gives the head too open and straggling an appearance, but this 
defect can be obviated with good effect on trees from twenty to 
forty feet high by cutting back the long branches a few times. It 
flourishes in any good soil, moist or dry. 



The Black Oak Group. 

The Black Oak, Qiiercus titictoria, becomes a tree of the largest 
size, but of little value in ornamental grounds. The foliage is very 
dark, and though glossy, is apt to be scattered about on the long 
limbs, forming neither rich masses nor picturesque outlines. The 
whole aspect of the tree, with or without its leaves, is sombre. The 
foliage comes out late, and falls early. It grows naturally on dry 
sandy soils. 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 313 

The Spanish Oak, Q.fakata, is a southern oak resembling the 
black oak in its bark, and with leaves somewhat like those of the 
pin oak and scarlet oak. 

The Black Jack Oak, Q. nigra, is a dwarf species of no value 
for decorative planting. 

The Marsh or Pin Oak. Q. palustris.—lt has been prettily 
remarked of this tree that it is a graceful savage. A 
^°' 99- thorny, scraggy tree, armed like a hedge-hog against 
approach, when growing wild in wet ground, but full 
of grace with its delicate light foliage when in full leaf . 
in open ground. A multitude of small branches, of 
great hardness of fibre, radiate at right angles from 
the main stem, and with their numerous angular 
branchlets and thorn-like spurs, give the tree the ap- 
pearance, when bare of leaves, of a prodigious natural 
hedge-plant. The bark is extremely hard, and darker 
colored than that of the red oak, but smooth when 
young. The leaves, the form of which is shown by 
Fig. 99, are smaller and lighter colored than most 
oaks. When grown in open ground the lower branches droop to 
the ground, and the light-green of its fine-cut foliage, the sharpness 
of its stratified lights and shadows, and the general downward 
sweep of its branches, altogether make it a pleasing tree ; and, in 
Loudon's opinion, " the most graceful of the oaks." This, however, 
is no great compliment, remembering that grace is not a character- 
istic of the oak family. Our cut gives the usual form of a young 
pin oak, but does not indicate sufficiently the drooping habit of 
the lower branches. 



Willow Oak Group. 

Willow Oaks. Qiiercus Phellos. — These are seldom seen north 
of Philadelphia. There, and southward, they become large trees, 
whose dark bark and foliage give them a sombre appearance. 
Leaves very small, lanceolate, smooth edged, and willow-like. 




314 DECIDUOUS TREES. 

The Laurel-leaved Oak, Q. p. laurifolia, is similar to the 
foregoing, but with larger leaves. Found principally in the 
southern States. 

The Shingle Oak, Q. imbrkaria, is a species with smooth- 
edged, elliptic, pointed, glossy leaves, similar in form to the leaf of 
the chionanthus. It is a native of the middle States, especially the 
neighborhood of the Alleghanies, and becomes a tree forty to fifty 
feet in height. From Michaux' description we infer that it would 
be a desirable oak to introduce in small grounds. 

The Live Oak. Q. virens. — Unfortunately this magnificent 
evergreen of our southern coast is too tender to flourish far north 
of the Gulf of Mexico. It is a tree of medium height only, but of 
immense and grand expansion of trunk and branches. A writer 
in Lippincott's Magazine mentions a specimen on the Habershaw 
plantation near Savannah, Georgia, which has an extension of one 
hundred and fifty feet between the extremities of its branches ! A 
traveller mentions one at Goose Creek, near Charleston, S. C, the 
trunk of which measures forty-five feet in circumference close to the 
ground, eighteen and a half feet in its smallest part, with a branch 
which measured twelve and a half feet in girt! It is one of the 
gra.ndest trees of the continent, as well as the most valuable of all 
for ship-timber. 



Foreign Oaks. 

The British Oak. Q. pedunculata and Q. sessiflora. — These 
varieties of the white oak group are so nearly the same as our 
white oak, that it is not necessary to describe them separately. But 
some odd varieties have come into existence, among which are the 
following : 

The Moccas Oak, Q. p. pendula, is a variety of the British oak, 
as pendulous as the weeping willow ; and of course a great curiosity. 
It is said there are none of this sort in this country. An extraor- 



DECIDUOUS TREES. .315 

dinary fact, considering that full grown trees of it seventy-five feet 
high exist in England, and that, according to Loudon, it generally 
comes true from seed. If grafts can be procured, they may be put 
into the tops of our common white oaks. 

The Upright Oak. Q. p. fastigiata. — A tree of extremely 
fastigiate habit, the most so of any of the oaks, but much less 
slender than the Lombardy poplar, with which it is sometimes com- 
pared. Though a native of the Pyrenees, it is hardy at Rochester, 
N. Y., and makes about the same annual growth as our white oak. 
The leaves and branches are small and numerous. 

The Mossy-cupped Turkey Oaks. Q. cerris. — The variety of 
what are called Turkey oaks in England is large, and 
some of the most beautiful specimens of oaks grown 
during this century are of one or another variety of 
this species. Fig. loo illustrates the common form of 
the young tree, and the leaf. It is distinguished from 
the British oak (which it resembles more than any 
other) by longer, straighter, and more upright branches, 
and more rapid growth. Judging by the specimens to 
be seen in this country, we do not perceive any strik- 
ing peculiarity or beauty that should cause them to 
be preferred, in pleasure-grounds, to many of our 
native oaks. 

There is an English variety, the Q. c. pendula, the branches of 
which " not only droop to the ground, but, after touching it, creep 
along the surface to some distance like those of the sophora japonica 
pendula " (Loudon). It grows to thirty or forty feet in height. 

There are also variegated-leaved varieties, but of little value. 

The Japan Purple Oak. Q. alba atro-purpiirea japonica. — Our 
attention has recently been called to this new tree from Japan. It 
promises to be the most brilliant member of the oak family. In 
the nursery of Parsons & Co., at Flushing, L. I., the little trees had 
as bright and clear a purple tint in September (1867), as the purple 
beech shows in May and June. It was considered quite hardy. 




316 DECIDUOUS TREES. 

Such trees as this purple oak, the Moccas oak, and the weeping 
Turkey oak, can readily be grafted on our white oaks, so that per- 
sons having young and thrifty trees may, with care and persistency 
through a term of years, secure samples of these curious oaks, and 
produce novel effects of foliage and form on the same tree. The 
work must, however, be done year by year, so as not to give the 
stock a maimed expression, or injure its health. 

The Holly Oaks. Quercus virens. — These are mostly ever- 
greens, natives of Southern Europe and Asia, near the sea. They 
will not bear our winters, though they can with care be grown in 
some parts of England. 



THE ELM. Ulmus. 

The Elm family embraces many species, mostly large trees. 
Our indigenous weeping elm, Ulmus americana, is, however, so much 
better known in this country than any other, and has so long borne, 
and deserved, the crown and title of " queen of American trees," 
that it is always the species uppermost in the mind when Americans 
speak of the elm. Yet in England and Continental Europe the 
Dutch, English, and Scotch elms have not been supplanted by it. 

The American Weeping or White Elm. Ulmus americana. — 
A full grown luxuriant weeping elm is certainly the queen, as the 
oak is the king, among deciduous trees. Its grace is feminine. Its 
outstretching arms droop with motherly grace to shelter and caress 
with their mantle of verdure the human broods that nestle under 
them. It is also a grand tree, well characterized by Dr. Holmes as 

"A forest waving on a single stem." 

Few trees are more lofty in their native woods, and none spread 
with more luxuriant amplitude in rich alluvial fields. The roots 
around the base of the trunk rise from the ground with peculiar 
picturesqueness to brace it against the winds. Its long branches, 
curving symmetrically upwards and outwards, describe the segment 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 317 

of a circle till they bend at maturity almost to the earth with their 
verdant tips. 

That master of happy characterization, the Rev. Henry Ward 
Beecher, in " Norwood," makes the following beautiful allusions to 
the weeping elm : — " No town can fail of beauty, though its walks 
were gutters, and its houses hovels, if venerable trees make mag- 
nificent colonnades along its streets. Of all trees, no other unites, 
in the same degree, majesty and beauty, grace and grandeur, as the 
American elm. Known from north to south, through a range of 
twelve hundred miles, and from the Atlantic to the head-waters 
which flow into the western side of the Mississippi, yet, in New 
England the elm is found in its greatest size and beauty, fully justi- 
fying Michaux' commendation of it to European cultivators, as ' the 
most magnificent vegetable of the temperate zone.' " * * * 
" Their towering trunks, whose massiveness well symbolizes Puri- 
tan inflexibility; their overarching tops, facile, wind-borne and 
elastic, hint the endless plasticity and adaptableness of this people ; 
and both united, form a type of all true manhood, broad at the 
root, firm in the trunk, and yielding at the top, yet returning again 
after every impulse into position and symmetry. What if they 
were sheered away from village and farm-house ? Who would 
know the land ? Farm-houses that now stop the tourist and the 
artist, would stand forth bare and homely; and villages that 
coquette with beauty through green leaves, would shine white and 
ghastly as sepulchres. Let any one imagine Conway or Lancaster 
without elms ! Or Hadley, Hatfield, Northampton, or Springfield ! 
New Haven without elms would be like Jupiter without a beard, or 
a lion shaved of his mane ! " 

The weeping elm grows with great rapidity, and where uninjured 
by insects, or lack of moisture in the soil, is picturesque and beau- 
tiful in every stage of its growth. No other tree, when young, 
throws out its arms so free and wild, and assumes so great a variety 
of forms. Figs. 6^ and 76 are two sketches from nature of 
young weeping elms, illustrative of this characteristic. Very fine 
specimens of this elm may be seen at the west, which have attained 
a majestic height in the forest, and then had their environing trees 
gradually cut from around them. At first they are little more than 



318 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 



Fig. ioi. 



columnar stems, with a parasol-like tuft of foliage at the top ; but 
as they are gradually exposed on all sides to the sun the head 
widens rapidly, the tall trunk covers itself from root to branch with 
a picturesque small spray peculiar to this elm, the outer branches 
of the top begin to droop and fall like spray from a fountain, until 
the whole tree assumes a loftier grace than belongs to its lower 
and broader-crowned sisters of the eastern valleys. Fig. loi is a 
sketch of a young forest elm that is beginning to develop the 
changes just described. Unfortunately, however, such forest- 
grown trees, if more than forty or fifty 
years old, usually fall victims of the first 
summer tornado that finds them in its 
track. 

For the formation of wide avenues the 
elm, in congenial soil, has no equal among 
trees. But it should never be planted in 
narrow streets, nor nearer than forty feet 
asunder in wide ones. Its great size and 
breadth of head should also cause it to be 
sparingly planted in or near small grounds, 
if a variety of shrubs or small trees are 
desired. 

The roots of the white elm feed quite 
near the surface, so that surface manuring 
in autumn is a wonderful stimulant to its 
growth. Large street trees are often se- 
riously injured in old villages by the gradual accumulation of gravel 
and broken stone incident to annual road improvements, until the 
feeding roots are so covered that they cease to have any rich 
surface to feed in. In other places noble old trees are being 
literally starved to death, while the good people who walk under 
them are wondering why their elms do not look as well as for- 
merly. Streets much travelled are continually enriched by drop- 
pings, and where the soil is not covered by water-proof pavements, 
there is little danger of trees in such streets suffering from this 
cause. But many instances have come under our observation of 
elms in villages and cities that languish for want of fresh food and 




DECIDUOUS TREES. 319 

good soil. Half the diseases that now attack old elm trees are the 
result of the weakened vigor caused by lack of good fresh soil or 
manure on their roots, which should be put on over the whole area 
that is covered by the branches, A moist surface soil is most con- 
genial to the elm. 

The Red or Slippery Elm, Ulmus rubra, ox fulva. — This 
native elm is so overshadowed by the superior size and beauty of 
the weeping elm, that it is rarely planted or seen in open ground. 
It is a tree of a more straggling open head, somewhat similar in 
form, with out-arching branches, but with much larger and sparser 
leaves, and without the pendulous spray of the former. It be- " 
comes a tree from fifty to sixty feet high, or about two-thirds the 
size of the white elm. It is of no value for small grounds. 

The Wahoo Elm. Ubmcs alata. — This species may be known 
by its two longitudinal ridges of cork-like bark on all its twigs and 
branches, though the white elm and the Dutch elm occasionally 
have varieties that closely resemble it in this respect. It makes 
a pleasing tree of medium size, and grows rapidly. Found wild in 
Virginia and southward. 

The foregoing -are American species. 

The following are among the most valued of the great variety 
of European elms grown in England. Loudon remarks that " the 
elm is remarkable for the aptitude of the different species to vary 
from seed ; so much so that it is extremely difficult to say, in this 
genus, which are species and which are varieties, or even to what 
species the varieties belong. To us it appears that there are only 
two sorts which are truly distinct, viz : U. campestris (the English 
elm) and U. montana (the Scotch elm)." He classes the Ameri- 
can elms as of the same species with the Scotch, U. montana. 

The English Elm. Ulmus campestris. — The finest trees of 
this species we have seen in this country are on the Boston Com- 
mon, where, in grandeur of branching, majesty of trunk, and 
healthfulness of foliage, they are certainly superior to the white 
elms growing side by side with them. But it must be remembered 



320 



BBCI'DJJOUS TREES. 




Fig. 



^ that our weeping elm does not develop 

its greatest beauty except in alluvial 

^"^ soils, and that it suffers everywhere near 

the seacoast from the persistent attacks 

of leaf-worms and borers. 

The English elm differs materially 
from our weeping elm in leaves, trunk, 
and manner of branching. The leaves 
are smaller, more regularly and sharply 
cut, and darker; and the bark is also 
much darker colored. In the ramification of 
the branches it is peculiar. The first diver- 
gence usually occurs at ten to twelve feet above 
the ground ; and these branches, instead of 
ascending and forming a sharp angle with the trunk, like those 
of our weeping elm, strike out unevenly, nearly at right angles with 
the trunk, and with age maintain their superior importance to the 
branches that diverge above them, notwithstanding the tree usually 
maintains a central trunk to a considerable height. This projection 
of massive low-growing branches, as shown in the accompanying 
sketch. Fig. 102, gives the English elm a much grander expression 
when seen from below than our white elm, the branches of which 
are apt to diverge with such even-sized multiplicity that none of 
them are of great size ; and one is not fully impressed with their 
grandeur until standing at such a distance from the tree that the 
great verdant arc which the branches describe can be seen as a 
whole. This is not always the case, as many old white elms ramify 
into a few great branches ; but if one will find contiguous avenues 
of the English and the American elm, the different effect upon the 
eye of the forms above alluded to, will be found very striking. 
Another peculiarity that increases this difference of expression is 
the tufty habit of the English elm, which forms little masses of 
leaves at the knots and intersections of old branches, adding by 
the contrast of their young twigs and verdure a greater apparent 
massiveness to the branches they grow upon. Though this elm 
is marked by a greater weight of lower branches than our native 
favorite, it does not usually spread so broadly. After insuring the 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 



321 



Fig. 103. 



Strength of its lower arms, the trunk keeps on upwards, and forms 
a squarish oblong head. 

In size the English elm, as recorded by reHable authorities, 
exceeds any specimens of the American elms we have heard of. 
In Warwickshire, at Combe Abbey, thirty years ago, stood a tree 
two hundred years old, one hundred and fifty feet high, seventy- 
four feet across its branches, with a trunk nine and a half feet in 
diameter ! In Gloucestershire, at Doddington Park, was one ninety 
feet high, one hundred and forty-nine feet across its branches, and 
seven feet in diameter of trunk. In fact a height and breadth of 
from ninety to one hundred feet is a common thing in the parks 
of England, and there are many specimens from one hundred to 
one hundred and twenty-five feet in height. 

The growth of the tree is quite rapid, 
fully equal in that respect to our own white 
elm ; but its growth is so much more com- 
pact, filling-in as it rises, instead of sending 
out the long, curved, and rambling annual 
shoots peculiar to the latter, that it has not 
the appearance of growing so rapidly. The 
comparative growth of the English, the 
Scotch, and the American elms, may be 
seen to great advantage near the Mall in 
the New York Central Park. Fig. 103 illus- 
trates the form and style of an English elm, 
fifteen years after planting. 

As an ornamental tree the English elm partakes of the charac- 
ter of the oaks in its branching ; but in the massing of its foliage, 
and the play of lights and shadows on its head, it occupies a place 
midway between the dense-leaved and sharply-stratified character 
of the beech, and the nobler breaks of the oak and chestnut. Gil- 
pin, in analyzing its picturesque qualities, observes : — " As a pic- 
turesque tree the elm has not so distinct a character as the oak or 
ash. It partakes so much of the oak, that when it is rough and 
old it may easily, at a little distance, be mistaken for one. *^ * * 
This defect, however, appears chiefly in the skeleton of the elm ; 
in full foliage its character is more marked. No tree is better 
21 




322 D E CIDUOUS TREES. 

adapted to receive grand masses of light. In this respect it is 
superior to both the oak and the ash. Nor is its foliage, shadow- 
ing as it is, of the heavy kind. Its leaves are small, and this gives 
it a natural lightness; it commonly hangs loosely, and is, in 
general, very picturesque. The elm naturally grows upright, and 
when it meets with a soil it loves, rises higher than the generality 
of trees, and, after it has assumed the dignity and hoary roughness 
of age, few of its forest brethren excel it in grandeur and beauty." 
The blossoms of this species are of a dark crimson color, and on 
old trees are sometimes so abundant as to enrich the just-budding 
verdure of the tree with peculiar beauty. 

The English Cork-bark Elm. Ulmus suberosa. — This is a 
marked variety of the U. campestris, with its young branches very 
corky. The leaves are rough on both sides, more rounded, and 
two or three times as large as the normal size of the leaves of that 
species, and in this respect resembles our red elm. 

The Dutch Cork-bark Elm. Ulmus major. — This variety 
has still larger leaves and more corky bark than the preceding, 
and a more spreading habit of growth. It is not considered so 
healthy as the English elm. 

The Purple-leaved Elm. Ulmus purpurea. — This is a com- 
pact, upright grower, with quite small leaves, of a dull purple color. 
A variety of the English elm. 

The Scotch or Wych Elm. Ulmus montana. — This resem- 
bles more our great American elm than any other British species, but 
it is still very distinct in many respects. Singularly enough, this tree 
so hardy, vigorous, and beautiful, and so long valued in Scotland 
and England, is yet but little known in this country. It is one of the 
most valuable of trees for avenues ; beautiful in any situation, and 
picturesque from its youth upwards. Loudon says of it : " The 
trunk is so bold and picturesque in form ; the limbs and branches 
are so free and graceful in their growth ; and the foliage is so rich 
without being clumpy as a whole, and the head is so finely massed 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 333 

and yet so well broken, as to render it one of the noblest of park 
trees; and when it grows wild amid the rocky scenery of its 
native Scotland, there is no tree which produces so great or so 
pleasing a variety of character." From the little we have seen 
of the Scotch elm we are inclined to believe it to be the most 
interesting foreign variety of the elm. The young trees of this 
variety in the New York Central Park are certainly the most beauti- 
ful of the elms there. 

The Scotch elm forms a much more spreading tree than the 
English, has a squarer form than our white elm, and fills in more 
massily with foliage. Without being quite so picturesque in out- 
line, in its earlier growth, it certainly displays finer contrasts, and ■ 
larger masses of light and shadow. The leaves strongly resemble 
those of our white elm. There are some remarkably pendulous 
varieties, but the tree does not ordinarily show this quality when 
young. With age, however, it becomes a characteristic, but not 
to such a degree as in our native weeping elm; and the more 
rugged development of its branches adds to the apparent difference. 
In dimensions it grows to equal the largest oaks. The varieties of 
the Scotch elm are numerous, and vary in their character to an 
extraordinary degree ; some of them being as pendulous as a weep- 
ing beech, and others fastigiate and cup-like. The following are 
the most note-worthy : 

The Weeping Scotch Elm. U. m. pendula. — This is the most 
erratic and interesting variety, and takes the same place among 
elms that the weeping beech does in its family. It assumes a great 
variety of forms ; sometimes branching in a fan-like manner, some- 
times marked by a persistent horizontal tendency, and occasionally 
shooting perpendicularly downwards ; but always uneven or one- 
sided, and picturesque. Like the weeping beech, in the first few years 
of its growth it is sometimes picturesque to deformity ; but it soon 
outgrows this stage of its eccentricity. The foliage is dark and 
abundant, and it becomes a large tree. 

The Exeter or Ford's Elm. U. m. fastigiata. — Noted for its 
very fastigiate growth and cup-like form. The leaves are twisted, 



324 DECIDUOUS TREES. 

enfolding one side of the shoots, very harsh and dark-colored, 
and retain their color longer than most others. It is a peculiar 
looking tree, of smaller size, as well as much more compact growth, 
than the species. Probably more curious than pleasing. 

The Smooth-leaved Wych Elm. U. m. glabra. — This is a 
variety resembling our white elm in form, but not so broadly spread- 
ing, and with smoother and smaller leaves. Of no superior value 
except to complete collections of elms. What are known as the 
Huntington, Downton, and Chichester elms, each of some English 
local fame, are varieties of this sort, and would not probably have 
any sufficiently marked character to recommend them to us. 

The Scamston Elm. Ulmus m. glabra. — This is a compara- 
tively new variety of weeping elm, and differs materially from the 
pendulous Scotch elm, before described ; and from all the pendu- 
lous forms of our native elms. The characteristic that distinguishes 
it is a compact overlaying of its branches upon each other, and 
their uniform downward tendency. Instead of a picturesque out- 
line, it therefore forms a broad low top, quite similar, but on a 
much larger scale, to that of the Kilmarnock willow. It is of rank 
growth, often making shoots of a zigzag character from six to ten 
feet long in a season. The leaves are very large, irregular, dark, 
and glossy, and clothe the branches superbly. Sargent, in his Sup- 
plement to Downing's Landscape Gardening, thus alludes to it: 
"When grafted as it should be, fifteen to twenty feet high, the 
branches make a curvilinear droop to the ground with a growth so 
regular and symmetrical as to give the whole tree the appearance 
of a gigantic arbor regularly trained and trimmed, and, by making 
an arched opening on one side, it can be well used for this pur- 
pose j the thick umbrageous character of the leaves producing the 
most agreeable and dense shade." It is a valuable addition to our 
stock of gardenesque trees, such as are adapted to artificial treat- 
ment for special purposes. Thrifty young elm trees of the common 
sorts, if in locations where such a grand arbor as the kind Mr. 
Sargent has above suggested would be useful, may be grafted all 
over the top with the Scamston elm, and changed quickly into a 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 325 

deep shady bower of novel beauty. In our Chapter XIV, on Arti- 
ficial Adaptations of Trees and Shrubs, are some suggestions on this 
subject, to which in this connection the reader's attention is invited. 

The Camperdown Elm so nearly resembles the Scamston, that 
some persons consider them the same. Sargent believes them 
different, and notes that the former has a growth a little more open 
than the latter. From the fact that pretty good observers mistake 
one for the other, we may infer that the difference is not material. 



THE BEECH. Fagus. 

" * * # who shall grave, as was the wont 
Of simple pastoral ages, on the rind 
Of ray smooth beeches, some beloved name?" 

Bryant. 

The beech is one of the grandest forest trees of both Europe 
and America. On both continents vast tracts of land are covered 
with it, to the exclusion of other trees, which cannot thrive in 
the dense shade it creates. Its smooth gray bark, never furrowing 
with age, but spotted in old trees with horizontal belts or patches 
of light-gray, makes a beech tree trunk an attractive and cheerful 
object among other trees, as well as a convenient surface on 
which to carve or write. Attaining great size, and forming deep 
shadows, it is, nevertheless, at all times a cleanly, cheerful-look- 
ing tree ; and in winter the great number and light color of its 
radiating branches and abundant spray is a pleasant characteristic. 

The play of light and shade in the foliage of the beech is pe- 
culiar. The lights are sharply-defined, and thin j and the shadows 
proportionally strong, and disposed horizontally in layers or strata, 
like those of the pine and spruce families, notwithstanding the 
branches, when bare of leaves, radiate at acute rather than right 
angles from the trunk. 

The form of the tree is usually ovate, but with more variety of 
outline in different specimens than is found among maples or 
horse-chestnuts, varying from oblate to conical forms, with sky out- 
lines occasionally quite broken and spirited. 



326 BE CIDrUOUS TREES. 

The leaves expand later than the maples and horse-chestnuts, 
and earlier than those of the oak or hickory. They are small, 
oval-accuminate, serrated, thin, wavy, dark, and glossy, and so 
thickly set on the branches, that its shade is the darkest of all the 
forest trees. They have the same fault, however, as those of the 
white oak, of remaining on the tree, dead and dry, during the 
winter and spring. This quality, though it makes the beech less 
desirable as a lawn tree, when it mars the tender verdure of spring 
grass by dropping its second crop of dead leaves, is, nevertheless, 
rather an interesting feature in winter, — the gathering of snow 
upon the dead foliage often producing most picturesque effects. 
We agree with Downing " that a deciduous tree should as certainly 
drop its leaves at the approach of cold weather, as an evergreen 
should retain them," and offer this mitigating beauty as a partial 
apology for the one bad habit of the family. 

The roots of the beech grow close under the surface of the 
ground, and in old forests the radiation of their huge gnarled 
masses around the base of the trunk, is most picturesque. The 
poet Gray thus happily describes them : — 

" There, at the foot of yonder nodding beech, 

Thai "wreathes its old fantastic roots so high. 
His listless length at noontide he -would stretch. 
And pore upon the brook that babbled by." 

In the famous old beech forest of the Hague in Belgium, this 
curious ramification of the great roots is one of the most interest- 
mg featuires of the place ; and in the wonderfully picturesque old 
forest of Fontainebleau, the grand old beech trees that wreathe their 
roots among the rocks which they seem to love, add greatly to the 
air of weird antiquity that pervades this ancient hunting-ground of 
the French kings. 

The wild species of the beech are not numerous ; but the varie- 
ties of the European beech, Fagus sylvatiais, introduced by culti- 
vators and tree-fanciers are some of the most peculiar of trees. 

The American White Beech. Fagus americana. — This, the 
loftiest and most common native species, together with its com- 
panion the red beech, F. ferruginea, which forms a lower and more 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 327 

massive head, represent so entirely all the qualities that charac- 
terize the common beech tree of Europe, Fagus sylvatka, that the 
above general remarks on the beech apply equally to all. The 
American white beech occasionally attains a height of one hundred 
feet, but eighty feet is the more common altitude. This size is ex- 
ceeded by the finest specimens in England and on the Continent. 
Loudon mentions a beech at Kinwell, growing in a pure sand, one 
hundred and five feet high, with a head one hundred and twenty- 
three feet in diameter. The great beech in Studley Park is one 
hundred and fourteen feet high, and upwards of one hundred and 
thirty feet in diameter of head. 

The rate of growth of the white beech, when young, is about 
the same as that of the sugar maple, but its growth is somewhat 
more rapid after it has attained middle size, say thirty feet in 
height ; and it is not unusual to see specimens growing with much 
greater rapidity from the beginning. Loudon mentions one pnly 
fourteen years planted, forty feet high and thirty-two feet diameter 
of head. Though the beech adapts itself readily to a great variety 
of soils, it attains the greatest size on those with a humid surface, 
and a porous and calcareous subsoil. And it will grow to great 
size in the crevices of rocks contiguous to moisture. Few trees 
vary more in form. While in some groves of English trees, as 
among the " Ashridge beeches " (Loudon's Encyclopaedia Britan- 
nica, p. 1977), the Queen beech is seventy-four feet high, without 
a branch, and then forms a tufted head one hundred and ten 
feet in height ; another specimen is mentioned only thirty-six feet 
high, with a trunk fourteen feet in circumference, five feet from the 
ground, and a head ninety-five feet in diameter ! 

The leaves of the beech are said to be less liable to attacks of 
insects, or to be eaten by cattle, than any other tree. 

The Weeping Beech. F. sylvaticus pendula. — We consider 
this the most curious tree of our zone, and one that will commend 
itself more and more as it becomes known. The original tree 
stands in the park of Baron de Man, at Beersel, Belgium.* The 

* p. J. Berckmans, in Gardeners' Monthly, June, i86g. 



328 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 



Fig. 104. 




trunk is three and a half to four feet in diameter, and grows in a 
twisted form to a height of twelve to fifteen feet^ with an appear- 
ance as if an immense weight were pressing it down. The 
branches cover an area nearly a hundred feet in diameter. Its 
history is curious. Some sixty years ago the baron's gardener was 
planting an avenue of beech trees, and the baron, observing a very 
crooked specimen, directed to have it thrown out ; but the gar- 
dener planted it in a corner of the grounds little visited, where it 
grew to be one of the most beautiful and singular freaks of sylvan 
nature. 

The illustration. Fig. 104, at the head of this page, is a portrait 
of the weeping beech growing on the grounds of the Parsons nur- 
sery at Flushing, and is probably the finest in this country. It is 



DECIDUOUS TUIIES. 339 

impossible for any engraving to do justice to the eccentric luxu- 
riance of this tree. It is the very embodiment of all the odd freaks 
of growth that make trees picturesque, and the vigorous healthful- 
ness of foliage that makes them beautiful. This tree is but twenty- 
five years old, forty-five feet high, and fifty feet across the greatest 
spread of its branches. There is a weeping beech growing in the 
grounds of John A. Kendrick in Newton, Mass., which has a cer- 
tain symmetry of proportion, notwithstanding all its erratic ten- 
dencies. It was planted in 1834, and is now fifty feet high. From 
the ground to the top the trunk is straight, and the branches, which 
directly incline downwards, are thrown off with perfect symmetry. 
Branches, starting out twenty-six feet high, droop and trail upon 
the ground.* This, however, is not the usual habit of the tree, 
which commonly begins its growth in a great variety of tortuous 
directions ; so that cultivators who have never seen well-grown 
specimens are apt to ask what there can be about that ungainly 
straggler to recommend it for an ornamental tree. We have seen 
its leading stem grow so as to tie itself up into a knot, and then 
start upward as if it quite enjoyed sitting on itself 

The growth of the tree indicates great vitality, and it will 
doubtless become one of the largest, as well as the most curious, of 
lawn trees. Its fine masses of pendant boughs, and glossy, wavy 
leaves, do not fairly hide the occasional uncouthness of its branches 
until the tree has been five or six years planted. Of course the 
richer and deeper the soil, the more speedily its best characteristics 
will be developed. 

The Purple-leaved Beech. F. purpurea. — This singularly 
tinted tree is a sport from the common white beech, found in a Ger- 
man forest, and is one of the finest of tree-novelties. In the spring 
its opening leaves and twigs have a bright purple color, approaching 
to crimson. As the growth continues, the color changes to a dull 
purplish-green less pleasing, but still of a character to attract atten- 
tion throughout the season. The form is perhaps a little more sym- 
metrically ovate than the common beech, and the tree does not attain 

* Gardeners' Monthly, June, 1867. 



330 DECIDUOUS TREES. 

SO great size, but has the same dense, glossy foliage, and in conse- 
quence of its rare color may be designated as one of the best trees 
for even a small collection. There is much difference in the bright- 
ness and duration of the purple color, in different specimens of the 
purple beech, and planters should select trees from the nursery 
rows at midsummer to be more certain of their character. 

The Copper-colored Beech, F. cuprea, is a sub-variety of the 
purple beech, the young shoots of which are of a darker and duller 
color. " It makes a splendid appearance in the sunshine, and when 
the leaves are greatly ruffled with the wind ; but in a state of re- 
pose, and on a cloudy day, it can hardly be distinguished from the 
common green-leaved beech." 

The Variegated-leaved Beeches, F. variegata, and others, are 
pretty and peculiar when the leaves first appear, but at midsummer 
the variegation of the leaves, as far as it is apparent, only serves to 
give them an unhealthy appearance. 

The Fern-leaved and Cut-leaved Beeches. F. heterophylla 
and F. lacimata. — The peculiarity of these varieties is in the fern- 
like delicacy of their growing foliage, the young spray of which 
pushes out from the preceding year's growth like filaments or ten- 
drils, giving the tree an exquisitely delicate sky-outline. Their 
foliage is of a lighter tone than that of any of the other beeches. 
H. W. Sargent, in his Supplement to Downing's Landscape Garden- 
ing, thus describes the former: "The fern-leaved beech is a great 
favorite with us, and we hardly know a prettier or more attractive 
tree, or one less known or planted. If we could plant but half a 
dozen trees, this would certainly be one of the first. It has the 
close round habit of the beech, with a pleasing green and glaucous 
color, and the most tiny and delicate foliage, the persistency of 
which would make it very desirable for topiary work, as it bears 
the shears better than any deciduous tree we know of." Loudon 
thinks it " more curious than beautiful," We have seen some of 
the best specimens in this country, and can hardly concur with Mr. 
Sargent in ranking it as one of the most interesting half dozen 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 331 

trees, but it is certainly one of the most delicately beautiful in out- 
line when in its growing state. 

The Red Beech, F. ferruginea. — This native species, according 
to Michaux, " bears a greater resemblance to that of Europe than 
to the kindred American species: it equals the white beech in 
diameter, but not in height j and as it ramifies nearer the earth, and 
is more numerously divided, it has a more massive summit, and the 
appearance of more tufted foliage. Its leaves are equally brilliant, 
a little larger and thicker, and have longer teeth." The trunk has 
a greater proportion of reddish or heart wood, than the white 
beech ; hence its name. 

The following remarks by Loudon on the general characteristics 
of the beech family are in his habitual fine veinjDf discrimination : 

" As an ornamental tree for the park and lawn, especially near 
the mansion, the beech has many important advantages. Though 
its head is more compact and lumpish than that of the oak, the elm, 
or the ash, yet its lower branches hang down to the ground in 
more pliant and graceful forms than those of any of these trees. 
The points of these branches turn up with a curve, which though 
not picturesque, has a character of its own, which will be found 
generally pleasing. The leaves are beautiful in every period of 
their existence; nothing can be finer than their transparent deli- 
cacy, when expanding, and for some weeks afterwards. In summer 
their smooth texture, and their deep, yet lively green, are highly 
gratifying to the eye ; and the warmth of their umber tint, when 
they hang on the trees during the winter season, as contrasted with 
the deep and solemn green of pines and firs, has a rich, striking, 
and most agreeable effect in landscape." Arboretum Britannicum, 
page 1965. 

Although not altogether apropos in a descriptive work, we 
cannot close with the beech without quoting for the reader the 
poet Campbell's exquisite lines, entitled " The Beech Tree's 
Petition." 

" Oh, leave this barren spot to me ! 
Spare, woodman, spare the beechen tree ! 
Though bud and flowret never grow 
My dark, unwarming shade below; 



332 DECIDUOUS TREES. 

Nor summer bud perfume the dew 
Of rosy blush, or yellow hue ; 
Nor fruits of autumn, blossom bom, 
My green and glossy leaves adorn ; 
Nor murmuring tribes from me derive 
The ambrosial amber of the hive ; 
Yet leave this barren spot to me: 
Spare, woodman, spare the bpechen tree 1 

Thrice twenty summers I have seen 
The sky grow bright, the forest green , 
And many a wintry wind have stood 
In bloomless, fruitless solitude. 
Since childhood, in my pleasant bower, 
First spent its sweet and sportive hour ; 
Since youthful lovers in my shade 
Their vows of truth and lapture made, 
And on my trunks' surviving frame 
Carved many a long-forgotten name. 
Oh ! by the sighs of gentle sound, 
First breathed upon this sacred ground , 
By all that lov.e has whispered there, 
Or beauty heard with ravished ear ; 
As love's own altar, honor me: 
Spare, woodman, spare the beechen tree 



THE AMERICAN CHESTNUT-TREE. Castaiiea americana. 

This, our common native chestnut, is one of the glories of 
the rocky hill-sides and pastures of New England, and well known 
throughout the northern States, and on the mountains of the 
southern States. It is a tree of great size, grand character, and 
rapid growth. In form, when mature, it resembles the white oak, 
but assumes its grand air much younger. Fig. 105, is a por- 
trait of a chestnut about fifty years old, and exhibits the general 
character of the tree at that age. Afterwards it increases more 
rapidly in the size of its trunk and branches than in height or 
lateral extension, and requires about a hundred years to attain 
its noblest development ; while the white oak does not exhibit its 
grandest character in less than twice that time. In its early 
growth it is a little rounder, and more formal, than the white oak; 
but develops so much more rapidly that, at middle age (fift}^? it 
is more " oak-like " than the oak itself, of the same age. The 
chestnut is particularly attached to rocky situations, or loose gravelly 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 333 

Fig. 105. 




soils, and attains its best proportions in such places. Loudon re- 
marks of the European chestnut, Castanea vesca (of which the 
American is classed as a variety only), "It will not thrive in 
stiff tenacious soil ; and in a rich loam its timber, and even its 
poles and hoops, are brittle and good for nothing. In loamy soils 
at the bottom of mountains, and in loam incumbent on clay, it 
attains a large size, and in so short a time, that, according to Sang, 
wherever the chestnut is planted in its proper soil and situation, it 
will outgrow any other tree in the same length of time, except per- 
haps the larch, the willow, and some of the poplars. According 
to Bosc it will not thrive in calcareous soil, but those lying over 
granite, gneiss, and schistus, and which are composed of the debris 
of these rocks, appear particularly suitable for it. It thrives well 
among rocks where there is apparently very little soil, insinuating 
itself among their fissures and chinks, and attaining a large size." 
"Wherever I have seen chestnut trees," observes the same author, 
" and I have seen them in a great many different localities, they 
were never on soils or on surfaces fit for the production of corn. 
On mountains in France, Switzerland, and Italy, the chestnut 
begins where the corn leaves off j and in climates suitable for 
corn, the tree is only found on rocky or flinty soils." 



334 DECIDUOUS TBEES. 

The above observations concerning the European sweet chest- 
nut, though in the main applicable to our own chestnut, are not 
entirely so ; for we have seen some of the largest trees of the 
species in the neighborhood of Philadelphia, in soils which, if not 
alluvial, were at least of a character to bear grain. Still, these soils 
may be composed in part of the debris of the very rocks which the 
close observer above quoted has mentioned as essential to the 
growth of the tree. Michaux found the finest chestnut trees of 
the United States on the mountain slopes of the Carolinas. 

The chestnut is remarkable for its longevity and the immense 
size its trunk attains. On the Blight place in Germantown, near 
Philadelphia, are some grand specimens. One old trunk, the top 
of which is a ruin, is nine feet in diameter, with a horizontal 
branch, at six feet from the ground, three feet in diameter ! The. 
" elephant chestnut " of the Hartshorn forest, Neversink Highlands, 
New York harbor, is a grand specimen, said to be five hundred 
years old. In the grounds of Moses Brown, School Lane, Ger- 
mantown, Pa., is an immense chestnut, formed of three trunks, 
grown into one at the base, which measures nearly ten feet in 
diameter one way, and upwards of five feet the other. Its height 
is about ninety feet, and its branches cover an area nearly one 
hundred feet in diameter ; yet Mr. Brown informed us that the 
tree is probably not more than one hundred years old ! At New- 
ton Centre, Mass., on the Rice estate, is one of the grandest 
chestnuts in New England ; height nearly eighty feet, spread of 
limbs ninety-three feet, and girth of trunk at the base twenty-five 
feet. 

But the greatest of our American chestnuts are small in trunk 
compared with some of the famous old specimens of the same 
species in Europe and Asia. In England there are larger trees 
than our own, notwithstanding the nuts do not ripen so well there. 
The Studley Park chestnut, twenty-one years ago, was one hun- 
dred and twelve feet high, seven and a half feet in diameter of 
trunk, and ninety-one and a half feet across its branches ; and at 
Croft Castle, in Herefordshire, there is one eighty feet high, one 
hundred and twelve feet across its branches, and eight and a half 
feet diameter of trunk. The trunks of chestnut trees continue to 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 335 

expand for centuries after the tops are falling with decay. The 
knotted base of the old Tortsworth chestnut (supposed to date 
back to the time of the occupation of Britain by the Romans), is 
fifty-two feet in circumference at five feet from the ground ! It 
was so large as to be called the " Great Chestnut of Tortsworth " 
as early as A. D. 1135. The most noted chestnut trees in the 
world are the venerable trunks on Mount Etna, where the living 
shells of what are supposed once to have been solid trees, measure 
from sixty-four to one hundred and eighty feet in circumference 
near the root I 

The chestnut was the favorite tree of the great master of the 
picturesque in landscape painting, Salvator Rosa, and flourished 
in the mountains of Calabria, where he painted. For decorative 
planting a noted English author, already quoted (Bosc), thus 
speaks of it : — " As an ornamental tree, the chestnut ought to be 
placed before the oak. Its beautiful leaves, which are never at- 
tacked by insects, and which hang on the trees till very late in 
autumn, mass better than those of the oak, and give more shade. 
An old chestnut standing alone produces a superb effect." 

The leaves of the chestnut expand immediately after those of 
the horse-chestnut and maple, and a little earlier than those of the 
oak. They are from six to nine inches long, two to three inches 
wide, pointed, with scolloped edges, and of a warm green color. The 
flowers appear in July, when most trees have done blooming, and 
though not interesting or showy in themselves, the mass of them, 
mingling their yellowish white with the leaves, or rather projecting 
beyond the leaves, on the crown of the tree, fringe it with a rich 
golden color which is very effective, especially where relieved on a 
hill-side against the darker foliage of other trees. The foliage of 
this species of chestnut is rarely so dense and luxuriant as that of 
the horse-chestnuts or the sugar maple, but it divides at an earlier 
age into nobler masses. Everybody knows the fruit or nut ; but 
everybody does not know what a great prickly burr encases it 
while growing, and, unluckily for the pleasure-grounds where a 
chestnut grows, falls with it, and endangers the feet of unwary 
children or the bodies of summer loungers in its shade. Yet these 
burrs add much to the beauty of the foliage by forming tufts of 



336 DECIDUOUS TREES. 

lighter green in summer, and by their golden-brown color about 
the time they are ready to fall. 

Some curious new varieties are mentioned by H. W. Sargent 
in his supplement to Downing's Landscape Gardening, the cut- 
leaved, and two varieties of variegated-leaved, but it is doubtful if 
they have been known long enough to decide on their merits or 
demerits. It is said that the best trees are grown from the nut, 
without transplanting, the tap-root being essential to the best de- 
velopment of the tree. 

The Dwarf Chestnut or Chinquapin. Castanea pumila. — 
Similar to the foregoing, except that it is smaller in all its parts, 
and does not bear so cold a climate. It does best in a cool, moist, 
rich soil, and forms a tree from ten to thirty-five feet high, accord- 
ing to its location — " a pretty round-headed miniature chestnut 
tree." (Meehan). 

The Spanish Chestnut. C. Vesca. — A stately tree of grand 
character, supposed to have been indigenous in Asia Minor, but 
domesticated in the warmer portions of Europe since the earlier 
periods of Roman history. It cannot with us be considered en- 
tirely hardy north of Washington. In general appearance it closely 
resembles our native chestnut, but the leaves are not quite so large. 
During the ages it has been in cultivation in Europe, great numbers 
of varieties have been found with nuts quite superior to the original 
sorts, and these are called by the French marrons, to distinguish 
them from the common chestnuts, or chataignes, " the latter being 
to the former what the crab is to the apple." Those who plant the 
chestnut in Europe select their sorts as Americans choose varieties 
of apples. The best nuts form an article of commerce, to eat when 
boiled, .and are among the most popular relishes of the poorer 
classes of France, — a handful of hot marrons being the most com- 
mon present of the French rustic to his sweetheart when they stroll 
together near the booths where the nuts are roasted. In the south 
of France and north of Italy, chestnuts are harvested in great quan- 
tities, and used in many ways as a substitute for wheat flour and 
potatoes. 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 
Fig. io6. 



337 




The European Horse-chestnut. 

THE HORSE-CHESTNUT, ^sculus zxi^ Pavia. 

Under this head may be classed the species known as European 
horse-chestnuts, the American varieties known as buckeyes, and 
the smooth-fruited horse-chestnuts, the latter being botanically des- 
ignated as Pavias ; though the differences between them and the 
European horse-chestnuts do not seem to warrant so distinctive 
a separation. We shall treat them all as varieties of horse-chestnuts. 

The European or Common White-flowering Horse-chest- 
nut. y£. hippocastanum. — The native country of this tree is 
somewhat in doubt. It has Fig. 107, 

been known in Europe for 
three centuries, and it is 
thought can be traced from 
the mountains of Thibet. 
The species was first brought 
to England in 1550 ; but it was 
22 




338 DECIDUOUS TREES. 

a rare tree as late as a century ago in most parts of Europe, 
though now so universally planted that no tree is more common 
in avenues and parks. Parkinson, in 1629, says : " Our Christian 
world had first a knowledge of it firom Constantinople." To 
know that a tree so hardy and well adapted to our country was 
orioinally from a region where the winters are milder than our 
own, is a pleasant encouragement to the introduction and acclima- 
tion of new discoveries from semi-tropical regions. 

The horse-chestnut, when young, is a tree of formal and un- 
interesting outline; but as it increases in age its dense foliage 
breaks into fine masses, and grows more and more beautiful until 
it becomes a grand old tree. It has an erect trunk, an ovate form 
when young, and squarish oval at maturity, — the height of the head 
usually exceeding its breadth. 

Each leaf is composed of five or seven leaflets, which radiate 
from the petiole like parts of a fan. In color they are among the 
purest of greens, without gloss. The growth of the leaves is very 
rapid, both shoots and leaves being sometimes perfected in three 
weeks after the bursting of the bud. Thus the horse-chestnut, 
though it does not begin to burst its buds earlier than many other 
trees, is in magnificent foliage while they are yet in embryo de- 
velopment. Following immediately this splendid bursting into 
leaf, its blossoms glow in great spikes like giant hyacinths set in 
the green young foliage, and lifted upon a tree stem to form a 
colossal bouquet. In May and June, in leaf and blossom, no hardy 
tree equals it in beauty. In autumn, however, it drops its leaves 
early, and is entirely disrobed when many other trees are putting 
on their most gorgeous colors. The maples and some other trees 
are much finer at the season's close, but in its flowering season the 
horse-chestnut is incomparably superior to all its rivals. 

The horse-chestnut should never be crowded. It is one of the 
most perfect of single lawn trees after the first ten or fifteen years' 
growth. If a yard is large enough to accommodate but one full 
tree, it should have few rivals for the place. 

For an avenue of street trees it has no superior ; but, like the 
sugar maple, it makes a very dark shadow, and should not be 
planted closely in rows, nor very near to the windows of a resi- 



BE CIBUOUS TREES. 



339 



Fig. io8. 



dence. For wide avenues its more formal character and narrower 
head make it quite inferior to our weep- 
ing elm, but it has the advantage of that 
sylvan queen of being less liable to 
injury by worms. 

The rate of growth of the European 
horse-chestnut is about the same as that 
of the sugar maple, and half that of the 
weeping or white elm. Our native sorts, 
the buckeyes, are of slower growth and 
smaller size. In England there are trees 
from eighty to one hundred feet high, 
and others of equal diameter of head, 
but in general it is somewhat inferior 
in size at maturity to the great oaks 
and chestnuts ; sixty feet in height, and 
fifty feet diameter, being about its average development at ma- 
turity. The vignette, Fig. io6, represents the common form of a 
full-grown tree, Fig. 107 its leaves, and Fig. 108 the form of a 
thrifty tree of twelve years' growth. 




The Double White-flowering Horse-chestnut, ^. k. 
flore plena, is a superb variety, with double flowers, in larger spikes 
than those of the common sort, and set with equal or greater 
abundance on the tree. It is in full bloom in June, two weeks 
later than the common sort. The form of the tree is higher in 
proportion to its diameter than the latter, the height being nearly 
double the breadth, and more square in outline. Ellwanger and 
Barry, at Rochester, have a noble young specimen about forty 
feet high, which, in the blossoming season, is like a verdant tower 
spangled all over with hyacinthine bouquets. It is in all respects 
an exquisite lawn tree, and one of the thriftiest of the species. 

The Red-flowering Horse-chestnut. yE. h. rubicunda. — 
This tree is of less vigorous growth than the preceding, and of 
more globular form. It blooms at the ^ame time, and the high 
color of its flowers makes it one of the most showy of trees in 
the blossoming season. 



340 



DECIDUOUS TBEES. 



The Scarlet-flowering Horse-chestnut, ^. h. coccinea, 
is a variety of the rubicunda, said to have more brilliantly colored 
flowers. Sargent mentions it as the most striking floral tree of the 
season. It blooms when quite young. 

The Variegated-leaved Horse-chestnut, ^. h. aurea, is a 
variety little commended ; the variegation not remaining a bright 
and healthy color throughout the season, though it gives the tree a 
pleasing warm tone in the spring. 

The Cut-leaved Horse-chestnut, ^. h. ladanata, is remark- 
able solely for the very curious shred-like character of its leaves. 

The Dwarf Double-flowering Horse-chestnut, ^E. h. 
nana flore plena, is a variety with large leaves and compact head, 
which is said to grow only eight to ten feet high, and promises to 
be an interesting shrub. 



Fig. 109. 



The Big, or Ohio Buckeye, or Yellow Horse-chestnut. 
Paviaflava or j^Escuhcs flava. — This fine 
native tree in some portions of the west is 
the special herald of summer. Its sudden 
and early bursting into full leaf makes it, 
in spring, the most observed of trees, be- 
ing even earlier than the European sort. 
It is found wild on the banks of most 
western streams, and there, among forest 
trees, it sometimes attains a height of sixty 
to eighty feet. In open ground its form is 
very rigid, and it forms a globular head 
from twenty to forty feet in height. Fig. 
109 is a specimen of the buckeye growing 
in an English park. Both the blossom 
spikes and the blossoms are smaller than 
on the European speciee, and of a greenish yellow color that renders 
them less conspicuous. The leaves drop long before those of 
most other trees 3 even before those of the European horse-chest- 




DECIDUOUS TREES. 341 

nuts, so that the tree has less value on this account than the im- 
ported sorts. It is in fact inferior in nearly every element of beauty. 
The name Buckeye is supposed to have been given by western 
hunters to the beautiful nuts of this species in consequence of a 
fancied resemblance to a buck's eye. Some varieties, crosses 
probably between the different species, have been originated in 
English gardens and nurseries that are interesting, and will be 
mentioned hereafter. 

The Small Buckeye, or American Red-flowered Horse- 
chestnut, ^sculus pavia (Pavia rubra). — This is a small tree 
with more slender branches and leaves than the Ohio buckeye, and 
dull reddish-colored flowers. It grows wild in Virginia and North 
Carolina on the mountains. Height from ten to twenty feet. 
Blossoms in May and June. There is a trailing variety {P. rubra 
humilis), which is insignificant on its own roots, but makes a pretty 
weeping tree if grafted on the branches of upright varieties. There 
are several other dwarf varieties of this red-flowered Pavia which 
are being grown in our best nurseries, but whether their peculiari- 
ties are sufficiently distinct to make them valuable is yet to be 
determined. All the dwarf or small horse-chestnuts or Pavias 
should be encouraged to branch pretty close to the ground. 

The Two-colored Pavia, P. discolor, is a straggling low shrub 
with beautiful flowers in May, which continue to expand for a long 
time. It is admirably suited to make picturesque small trees by 
grafting on other stocks. 

The Long-fruited Horse-chestnut. Pavia macrocarpa. — 
Loudon describes this as follows: "This variety appears to us 
intermediate between some variety of the ^. hippocastanum and 
Pavia rubra. The leaves are large, smooth on the upper surface, 
and shining. The flowers are nearly as large as those of the com- 
mon horse-chestnut, and of a pale red color mixed with yellow. 
The branches are spreading and loose ; and the whole tree has an 
open graceful appearance, quite different from that compactness of 
form and rigidity of branches which belong to the tree species and 



342 DECIDUOUS TREES. 

varieties both of JEsailus and Pavia. This sort can scarcely be 
said to be in cultivation in the nurseries, notwithstanding its claims 
to a place in every collection of ornamental trees." * 

The Dwarf White-flowering Horse-chestnut. P. mac- 
rostachia. — This superb spreading shrub was first brought promi- 
nently before the public in this country by H. W. Sargent, in his 
Appendix to Downing's Landscape Gardening, where it is enthusi- 
astically described, and admirably pictured. He thus mentions a 
specimen in his own grounds. " Our best plant at Wodenethe, 
twelve years old, is sixty feet in circumference and about eight feet 
high, and has, at the time we write, between three and four hundred 
racemes of flowers, the feathery lightness of which, and the fine 
umbrageous character of the leaves, render it a most striking and 
attractive object." It comes into bloom late in June, and con- 
tinues blooming a long time. 

The California Buckeye, ^sadus californica, is described in 
the Pacific Railroad Survey as a low, spreading shrub or tree, eight 
to twenty feet high; "flowers rose-colored, racemes about six inches 
long, from spring to midsummer." 

The following general remarks on the dwarf varieties are from 
Loudon's Trees and Shrubs of Great Britain, page 134: "The 
most valuable varieties of both yEscuhis and Pavia are best per- 
petuated by budding or grafting, and collectors ought always to 
see that the plants they purchase have been worked. Pavia rubra 
as a tree, P. discolor either as a shrub Or grafted standard high, and 
P. macrostachia as a shrub, ought to be in every collection, whether 
small or large.f Pavia humilis, when grafted standard high on the 
common horse-chestnut, forms an ornament at once singular and 
beautiful. As the horse-chestnut is found on most plantations 



* Arboretum Britannicum, p. 473. 

t This remark probably applies the word "small " to parks of five to ten acres. Of course it 
would be absurd to recommend that every owner of a half acre or acre, devoted to decorative 
planting, in this country, should attempt to have a specimen of every fine variety; 7inless he 
intends to iise his entire ground to make a complete collection 0/ so^ne one species of tree or 
shrub only. 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 343 

those who are curious in the species and varieties might 'graft them 
in the upper branches of old trees, or young trees might be headed 
down and one kind grafted on each." 



THE MAPLE. Acer. 

The universal popularity of the maples is a marked proof of 
their great merits. Among the very earliest to expand into full 
leaf in the spring, unsurpassed in profusion of foliage and depth 
of shade in summer, glowing with brilliant colors in autumn, 
and finally dropping their leaves clean and dry to spangle the 
lawn with the bright colors of a painter's palette — surely no other 
family of trees can boast a greater array of merits. Add to these 
that it is a healthy family, subject to fewer diseases or noxious in- 
sects than most others, that the different species are adapted to 
nearly all soils, and are mostly of that moderate size and compact 
form that renders them more appropriate than trees of grosser 
growth to be placed in cultivated small grounds, and the fact of 
their great popularity is fully accounted for. As to their faults, 
excepting only their too great uniformity of outline, we confess 
having failed to discover any. The following species and varieties, 
however, have many marked differences, some of them being much 
less valuable than others. At the risk of too frequent repetition, 
we will here again call attention to the fact, that persons having a 
collection of native maples on their grounds, whether of one or more 
species, may obtain a great variety of maple foliage in a short time 
by grafting the rarer or more curious varieties upon them. 

The Sugar Maple. Acer saccharinum, — ^We begin with this 
favorite indigenous species, because we believe it, all things con- 
sidered, the most valuable ornamental tree of all the maples. It 
is, happily, too well known and appreciated in this country to need 
have attention called to its beauties. Its form at maturity, when 
grown in open ground, is ovate, rather higher than its breadth, and 
remarkable for its compactness and the profuse growth of leaves 
in all parts of its head. Its lights and shadows are peculiar, being 



344 DECIDUOUS TREES. 

broken into a great number of small masses, strongly defined 
against each other ; that is to say, the lights being very bright and 
warm, and the shadows quite decided, and yet softly shaded into 
each other. The disposition of the shadows is rather lateral, but 
not in strata, as on the beech. The head of the tree is remarkable 
for its sunny expressmi ; the parts of the foliage which reflect the 
light being in excess of the parts in shadow. But it lacks for this 
reason the grander, because broader and bolder shadows that give 
superior dignity and variety of expression to the oak, the chestnut, 
and the hickory. The branches are very numerous, and radiate 
with tolerably equal divergence at an angle of about forty-five de- 
grees from the trunk. The bark is light-colored, and the tree has 
a cheerful tone when leafless. 

In streets they should rarely be planted nearer than twenty-five 
feet from each other, and thirty feet apart is better. 

The average yearly growth of the sugar maple is about fifteen 
inches. It is most at home in a gravelly soil, and where such soils 
are rich and well drained it grows rapidly, while in stiff clay, or 
ill-drained sandy ground, the growth is slow. In ten years after 
planting it usually grows to about twenty or twenty-five feet in 
height, and fifteen feet across its top. Height at maturity from 
fifty to seventy feet. 

The Black or Rock Maple, Acer nigrum, is a variety of 
the sugar maple, with darker and less deeply-lobed leaves, more 
globular form, and lesser growth. 

The White or Silver-leaved Maple. Acer eriocarpum. — 
This native maple, so common on the banks of western streams, 
has become, perhaps, too great a favorite for street planting. Its 
growth is very rapid, being nearly double that of the sugar maple. 
Its form is much looser and more spreading, becoming at maturity 
an irregularly square-headed tree; the foliage is smaller, less 
dense, of a lighter green on the upper surface, and the under sur- 
face a downy white, which peculiarity gives the tree its name. The 
stems of the leaves being small and slender, the foliage, as the 
long branches sway in the wind, is ruffled so as to contrast the 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 345 

white and the green surfaces of the leaves with a sparkling pleasant 
effect. It is a tree for large grounds and wide streets, and must 
have ample room. Forty feet is the least distance apart that silver 
maples should be planted in streets, and no more than they will 
completely fill in twenty years. The head of the silver maple does 
not break into good masses of light and shade until it is old, and 
in the mean time the projection of its numerous spreading branches 
scatter the light on a great number of small points, and develop 
no broad, deep, or well-defined shadows. 

The silver maple is not quite so early in leaf as the sugar 
maple ; the leaves are not of so beautiful a green, nor so generous 
in quantity, nor so warm in their manner of reflecting the sunlight, 
nor so brilliant in autumn. As a lawn tree for the class of grounds' 
treated of in this work, it cannot be considered so desirable as 
many others ; the great size it quickly attains requiring a space for 
its perfect development that may be more interestingly filled with 
trees of smaller size. Of course this objection will not apply so 
forcibly to places where one or more acres is devoted to lawn, nor 
to places where the proprietor wants but few trees, and those 
quickly, nor to those who will make a specialty of the maple 
family alone. 

Red-flowering or Scarlet Maple (Red-bud Maple). 
Acer rubrum. — The three names all characterize the spring and 
autumn peculiarities of the tree. It is covered with small red buds, 
which open before the expansion of the leaves in spring ; and the 
brilliancy of its scarlet leaves in autumn makes it then one of the 
most conspicuous of trees, and constitutes a distinguishing beauty, 
which would, alone, make it a desirable tree. It flourishes best in 
a soil much richer than that which suits the sugar maple, and 
attains its greatest size in ground where its roots can reach the 
moisture of a stream. There are specimens on streams near Phila- 
delphia seventy to eighty feet high, with a proportional amplitude of 
lateral growth, touching the meadow on one side and the stream 
upon which they grow upon the other with the graceful droop of 
their lower branches. On rich uplands it has a compacter growth 
and darker foliage, and becomes a round-headed tree of about forty 



346 DECIDUOUS TREES. 

feet in height and breadth. The character of its foliage is midway 
between that of the sugar maple and the silver maple, but its growth 
is not more rapid than the former. In cool moist soils it should be 
preferred to the sugar maple. Meehan remarks that though "found 
in swamps and morasses, it will thrive in any soil or situation." 
We have observed that its foliage acquires a depth of green, and a 
glossiness in very rich warm soils that give it quite a different ex- 
pression from its ordinary appearance when growing wild. 

There is a variety advertised in some nurseries as the Acer 
colchicum rubrum, said to be marked by the unusually deep purplish 
red color of its young foliage. 

The Moosewood or Striped-barked Maple. Acer striatum. — 
This is a very peculiar small native tree, found principally in the 
sheltered valleys of northern mountains, in shady places, where it 
grows sometimes singly, but oftener in groups or stools composed 
of many strong thrifty sprouts, which, from their straightness and 
lightness, are used for impromptu fishing rods. The bark is very 
smooth, and of a dark-green color, marked with stripes lighter and 
darker than the general color, on wood several years old, and of a 
warm yellowish or reddish-green hue on the fresh growth. Its* 
leaves are quite peculiar in form, light-green, without any gloss on 
the upper surface, and of a grayish-green with strongly marked ribs 
on the under surface, and very finely serrated. The buds and 
leaves when beginning to unfold are rose-colored, and " it is one of 
the first trees to announce the spring." It attains a height of 
twenty to thirty feet, and forms an umbrella-shaped top of slow 
growth after the first half dozen years. The seeds are grouped in 
pairs on long peduncles, and in August when ripe are of a dull 
rose-color, very abundant, showy, and beautiful. We have nowhere 
seen it so abundant as on Mount Desert Island, in Maine, where, 
in sheltered valleys between abrupt granite hills, it forms a part 
of every copse-wood. We believe it will be found a tree of such 
peculiar habit as to be interesting among other maples, and worth 
much more attention than it has received from planters. Its small 
size at maturity, and quick growth in its earlier years, recommend 
it to persons forming a collection of maples for a small place. 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 347 

The Spike-flowered or Mountain Maple, Acer spicatum, is 
another dwarf American species, native of the Alleghany Mountains, 
and valued in England for its autumn beauty, caused by the rose- 
color of its large pendulous spikes of winged seeds. Height fifteen 
to thirty feet Growth rapid when young. 

The Sycamore Maple. Acer pseudo platanus. — A large, hand- 
■ some tree, native of Europe, of more rapid upright growth than 
our sugar maple. The bark of its young wood is ash-colored and 
remarkably smooth. The foliage has the same cleanly luxuriance 
that distinguishes our sugar maple, and the leaves are a little 
larger. In England it becomes a tree of the largest size in sixty 
or seventy years, and its trunk attains a great size in propor- ' 
tion to its age. There are specimens there nearly a hundred feet 
high, and six to nine feet diameter of trunk. We do not know of 
any great trees of it in this country. Loudon says that it will 
grow on exposed situations, and especially on the seacoast, and 
maintain its erect position against the sea-breeze better than most 
other trees, and that it is especially adapted to plant around houses 
located on bleak hills, as it rarely shows any one-sidedness of 
growth in consequence of the action of the winds. The four fol- 
lowing varieties of the sycamore maple are all valuable : 

The Guelder-rose-leaved Maple, A. p. opulifolium, is a 
smaller, globular, dense-leaved variety, native of the mountains of 
France and Spain. A small tree. 

The Purple-leaved Maple. A. p. purpurea. — The leaves 
are purplish beneath, and the stalks of a bright dark-red. The 
foliage is vigorous and healthy. " The tree has a very fine appear- 
ance when the leaves are slightly ruffled by the wind, alternately 
appearing clothed in purple and pale green. In spring, when the 
leaves first expand, the purple bloom is not obvious ; but when 
they become matured it is very distinct " {Arboretum Britannicum). 
A large tree, every way desirable. 

The White Variegated-leaved Maple. A. p. alba varie- 
gata. — The silver-striped leaved of some nurseries. This is con- 
sidered the most ornamental of all the variegated-leaved maples, 
especially in the spring when the leaves first expand. Small speci- 



348 DE CIB UOUS TBEES. 

mens that are growing in this country fully confirm this estimate of 
its beauty. Its variegation is not uniform on the leaves, but here 
and there an entire twig has white leaves, and single leaves mot- 
tled with white appear occasionally among the green leaves, so that 
the effect is pleasing, and does not convey the impression of 
diseased foliage. A large tree. 

The Yellow-variegated or Gold-leaved Maple, A. p. flava 
variegata (and aurea, of different nurserymen). A healthy variety 
with some of its leaves a pure light yellow, and occasionally mottled. 
An exceedingly beautiful warm toned, and healthy variety, that 
makes a charming contrast with the purple-leaved maple, and in 
the spring is certainly one of the finest of trees. 

The Norway Maple. Acer platajioides. — This species has a 
more vigorous growth than the sugar maple, and a similar formality 
of contour. Its leaves are also similar, but larger and thicker, and 
not so profusely set upon the twigs. The head is also somewhat 
rounder, and the young wood stouter ; but an observer not critical 
in trees might easily mistake it for the sugar maple. The differ- 
ence in the rapidity of their growth is not so great as was formerly 
supposed. The bark on the young shoots is green, afterwards a 
brownish red, dotted with white points. The buds are large and 
red in autumn, and grow to a darker red in winter. The leaves in 
autumn turn sometimes to a fine yellow, and at others to a brilliant 
red, and are always well colored. 

The Cut-leaved or Eagle's Claw Maple, Acer p. lacinia- 
tum, is a variety of the Norway maple, with very deeply-lobed 
and sharp-pointed leaves, — a mere leaf curiosity in a collection 
of maples. 

Lobel's Maple, A. p. lobelii, is an Italian variety of medium 
size, with smaller and more obtuse leaves of a pea-green color, 
which hang late in the fall. 

The Shred-leaved Maple, Acer dissectum, is a new Japan 
variety, with leaves divided down to the base into nine or ten lobes, 
that hang almost like separate leaves. Its foliage in the nursery 
is profuse, and a vivid glossy green ; but of its more mature de- 
velopment we cannot speak. 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 



349 



The Great-leaved Maple, Acer macrophyllum. — In the 
valley of the Columbia river this is described as one of the grandest 
and most beautiful trees of the country, attaining a height of from 
forty to ninety feet, and of a graceful spreading form. We have 
heard of no specimen of much size in the older States. It is re- 
ported tender at Rochester in Ellwanger and Barry's nursery when 
first planted, but likely to be hardy when deeply rooted. The 
leaves resemble those of the sugar maple in form, but are triple 
the size. 




English Field Maple. Acer campes- ^^°- "°' 

tris, — "This is a beautiful compact, round- 
headed tree, or rather bush, rarely exceeding 
twenty or twenty-five feet in height, and if 
allowed to assume its natural shape, quite as 
broad as high. This tree, which is one of 
the most ornamental of the maples, is very 
rarely to be met with ; though common, we 
believe, in our best nurseries. It is a tree, 
above all others of its kind, suited to small 
lawns, where it should stand alone, or on the 
outside of loose gardenesque groups, where 
it is accessible on all sides ; since the charac- 
ter of its growth is so regular and formal 
(in shape of a bee-hive), that it does not harmonize with wild or 
picturesque plantations, but is peculiarly adapted to the neighbor- 
hood of the house, or to the more formal trees, like the horse- 
chestnut and linden. The finest specimens we recollect to have 
seen is at the late Mr. Downing's, which is nearly full grown ; a 
specimen at Wodenethe, about fifteen feet high, and nearly as wide, 
is extremely beautiful. The largest specimens in England are at 
Kew, fifty years planted, twenty-six feet high ; at Milbury Park, 
one hundred years planted, thirty-eight feet high. It should never 
be trimmed up ; on the contrary, if by accident the lower limbs are 
injured or lost, the tree should be severely headed back to en- 
courage new growth from the ground." — H. W. Sargent. Fig. 
no represents a thrifty young tree of this species. 



350 DECIDUOUS TREES. 

MoNTPELiER Maple. Acer monspessulanum. — In size and gen- 
eral appearance much resembles the preceding, though distinct in 
the form of its leaves, which are three, instead of five-lobed. 

Round-leaved Maple. Acer circinatum. — A native of the 
Pacific slope north of latitude 43°. From twenty to forty feet in 
height. Loudon describes it thus: "Branches slender, pendu- 
lous and crooked, often taking root, etc. * * * * This is a very 
marked and beautiful species." 

The Neapolitan Maple, Acer obtusatum, is a large variety, 
native of the hills of southern Europe. Probably inferior to our 
common native sorts, but worthy of a trial by professional tree 
growers. 

The Tartarian Maple, Acer tartaricum, a low deciduous 
tree, native of Tartary. Height twenty to thirty feet. Said to 
thrive in a moist soil, and to be the earliest maple in leaf 

It will be seen that, of the maples, the silver-leaved maple, the 
sycamore, and the niacrophyllum, are the most rapid in growth and 
largest ; the Norway, sugar and scarlet maples, and Neapolitan, 
next smaller ; and the English field maple, the Montpelier maple, 
the round-leaved, the Tartarian, and the Moosewood, the smallest. 
It would require about an acre of ground to contain specimen 
trees of the maple family alone. If one could have the nerve to 
reject all other trees from the plantation, what a beautiful family 
circle it would be! 



THE WALNUTS. Juglans. 

The family of walnuts, as far as we propose to allude to them, 
include what are known as English walnuts, our own black walnut, 
and butternut, and the sub-family of the hickories and the pecan 
nut, Carya. They are all large trees, with pinnate leaves and 
edible nuts. 



DECIDUOUS TREES. • 351 

The European Walnut or Madeira Nut, Juglans regia, is 
a tree somewhat resembling our butternut in its general appear- 
ance, but it is loftier and larger, and has fewer leaflets to the leaf — 
generally three or four pairs and an odd one. It comes into leaf 
rather late, and drops its leaves early. Though greatly valued in 
England and the Continent for its beauty as well as for its nuts, its 
want of hardiness in the Northern States, and lack of any peculiar 
beauty at the South, has prevented its culture to any great extent 
in this country. South of Philadelphia it may be grown with 
safety. Like the black walnut, its shade is injurious to vegetation. 

The Black Walnut. Juglans nigra. — A tree of great size, 
held in high estimation of late years for the dark color and the 
value of its wood for cabinet purposes. In western forests its aver- 
age height at maturity is about seventy feet, but specimens are not 
unfrequent one hundred feet high, with trunks from four to five feet 
in diameter. Its bark is very dark and deeply furrowed. In open 
ground it becomes not only a tree of majestic size but of marked 
beauty, from the light color and softly blended masses of its long 
pinnate leaves, each leaf having from thirteen to seventeen leaflets. 
The tree spreads grandly with age, and for park purposes would be 
worthy of an extended description ; but as there is something in 
the emanations from its leaves and roots injurious to trees near it, 
and to grass under it, this fault, and its great size, unfit it for use 
in suburban grounds, and make further description needless. 

The Butternut. Juglans cinerea. — This is a much lower 
species than the preceding, with lighter colored wood, grayish bark, 
and an oblate form like that of the apple tree. With or without its 
leaves, the tree has a cleanly domestic expression. In the color 
'and form of its leaves it resembles the ailantus more than any 
other native tree, but its outline is more formal, and the foliage is 
thrown out with less picturesqueness than that of the ailantus. 
Full-grown trees in open ground rarely exceed fifty feet in height 
and sixty feet diameter of head. Its odor is less powerful and its 
presence less injurious to vegetation than that of the black walnut. 



352 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 




A HICKOKY TBEK IN THE GROUNDS OF fiVLTANDS PUEDY, ESQ., RYE, N. Y, 



THE HICKORY. Carya. 



The great difficulty of transplanting the hickory, in consequence 
of its remarkable tap-root, which "strikes for the centre" with a 
vigor and singleness of purpose peculiar to it, has made the family 
less popular for home or street embellishment than it deserves to 
be. The young trees have scarcely any surface roots that enable 
them to take a new hold in the soil quickly, like elms and maples, 
when they are transplanted. 

The hickories are noble in their expression in every stage of 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 353 

their growth. All of the species become large trees, with a height 
considerably greater than their breadth, and a squarish form. The 
foliage breaks into fine masses while the tree is yet young, and all 
the characteristics of its head afterwards give it rank midway be- 
tween the grand trees of which the white oak is a type, and massy- 
foliaged trees like the horse-chestnuts and the maples, which are 
less picturesque in outline and less boldly broken in lights and 
shadows. Its branches are clean, strong, and supple ; not frittered 
in monotonous radiating lines, but rather given to irregularities. 
Its leafage is more luxuriant than that of the oak, and makes a 
deeper shade. The tree is little troubled by insects, except those 
which may be quickly and effectually dislodged, like the summer 
caterpillar, which sometimes attacks the leaves. 

Hickories are always favorites with children. Their elastic 
limbs never snap treacherously, and the boys may climb upon them 
or hang from their tips with little fear of a scolding for breaking 
the trees; and in autumn enjoy the sport of scrambling for the ear- 
liest nuts, and hearing them rattle through the branches after a 
hard frost. Bryant thus alludes to the squirrel's sports upon them : 

* * * " Swaying to the suddeti breeze, ye fling 
Your nuts to earth, aud the brisk squirrel comes 
To gather them, and barks with childish glee, 
And scampers with them to his hollow oak.'' 

It may be passing beyond a description of the tree to suggest also 
the pleasant nibbles — nuts, apples, and cider — by the winter's fire 
and the cheerful central lamp ! 

The hickory has two marked faults when compared with certain 
favored trees. Its leaves come out quite late in the spring ; not 
later, however, than those of the oak and ash. The leaf-buds begin 
to break later than those of the oak, but when once started they 
burst into full expansion more rapidly. In autumn the leaves drop 
with the first hard frost, falling dry and clean, easy to gather, or 
quick to be blown away ; but the shells from which the nuts drop 
out as they fall, are troublesome in a lawn ; not easy to mow over 
or to rake out. 

The leaves of some varieties turn to a dull yellow color before 
they fall, but pleasing autumn tints are not common among them. 
23 



354 DECIDUOUS TREES. 

The different species of the hickory vary from one another less 
in their appearance, as they grow old, than most other trees. 
While young the differences are more marked, but when the trees 
are from thirty to fifty years old, all have the same general charac- 
teristics of forms and shadows when seen from a distance — the 
variations in their bark being the most marked difference between 
them. 

The following are the principal varieties — all natives of our 
country : 

The Shell-bark Hickory. Carya alba. — This species is not 
excelled in beauty of leaf or form by any of 
the others, and excels them all in the quality of 
its nut, the toughness and value of its wood in 
the arts, and its superiority over all other woods 
for fuel. But though hard and heavy, and 
strong beyond other timber, no wood rots 
quicker when exposed to moisture. When 
young the bark is smooth ; but after the wood is 
from twelve to fifteen years old it is generally 
distinguished from the other hickories by its sin- 
gularly scaly, or laminate outer bark, which, on old trees, fre- 
quently drops off in broad pieces from two to four feet in length, 
and from one-eighth to a quarter of an inch in thickness, or may be 
pulled off readily without injury to the tree. This bark is of a cin- 
namon-brown color on the inside, is full of oil, and valued above 
all other kindlings for the quick, bright, hot fire it makes. 

The tree grows rapidly, and when young the leaves are very 
large ; each leaf being composed of five leaflets (rarely seven), those 
of the terminal triplet being usually from five to seven inches 
long, but much larger in thrifty young trees, and smaller in old 
trees. Their color is a deep glossy green — darker than most trees. 
The nuts are whiter and thinner shelled than those of other species, 
and about an inch in longest diameter ; but there is much differ- 
ence, as in fruit trees, between different trees of the same species, in 
the size and quality of the nut. All things considered this is de- 
cidedly the most valuable of the hickories. On page 352 we give a 




DECIDUOUS TREES. 355 

good portrait of the finest hickory of this species we know of in this 
country, growing on the farm of Sylvanus Purdy, Esq., in Rye, N. Y., 
near the village of Mamaroneck. It is about eighty feet high, ninety 
feet across the spread of its branches, and has borne fourteen 
bushels of shelled nuts in one season ! The upright growth on the 
left is a part of the tree which has taken a new upright direction. 

The Thick-shelled-nut Hickory. C. sulcata and C. tomen- 
tcsa maxima. — This is the tree which bears the large oblong nut of 
commerce, and the thickness of its shell suggests the name. Its 
bark is somewhat scaly, but in thicker and narrower sections than 
that of the shell-bark hickory, and not so easy to detach from the 
tree ; it is also much rougher on young trees. The leaves are the 
largest of any of the hickories. Each leaf is composed of from 
seven to nine leaflets. The nuts are squarish-oblong, from one and 
a quarter to two inches in length, with thick yellowish-white shells, 
but fine flavored. As an ornamental tree it has the same charac- 
teristics as the preceding. Nuttall and Michaux describe what is 
popularly known as the thick-shelled hickory in two species, both 
of which we give in connection with the popular name for both. 

The Pig-nut Hickory. C. porcina. — This species is distin- 
guished by its smaller leaves and fruit j the latter not being 
marketable, though good food for hogs, who crunch and eat the 
shell and meat together. Its bark when quite young is smooth, 
and then resembles the shell-bark hickory ; but about the age when 
the latter begins to show its laminate character, the former breaks 
into fine hard shallow furrows, and is not at all disposed to laminate. 
Its branches are rather more numerous and straighter than the 
other hickories ; but with age its foliage breaks into the same 
forms, and is as fine as any of the others. Its leaves are usually 
formed of seven leaflets, smaller and slenderer than the preceding 
species. The foliage is also rather lighter colored, and the aspect 
of the tree when young is less robust. It grows most naturally in 
moist ground, and there becomes a lofty tree. 

The Bitter-nut Hickory, and the Water Bitter-nut Hick- 
ory, C. amara and C. aguatica, are similar to the foregoing, the 



356 DECinuous trees. 

latter having still smaller and more numerous leaflets, numbering 
from nine to eleven on each leaf. 

The C. microcarpa is a variety closely resembling the shell-bark 
hickory in its leaves, which, though smaller, are composed of five 
leaflets, and in its small thin-shelled nut ; but its bark is like that 
of the thick-shelled hickory. It is abundant in the forests of New 
Jersey and Pennsylvania. 

The Pecan-nut, C. olivaformis, is not found much north of 
the Ohio river valley; south, it becomes a large and beautiful 
tree. Its nuts are long, pointed, and thin-shelled, and considered 
by some persons the most delicate of all the hickories. We do 
not consider them any better than those of the shell-bark hickory. 
The tree resembles the water bitter-nut hickory, with thirteen to 
fifteen leaflets to the leaf 

THE ASH. Fraxinus. 

The ash is a common forest tree all over the United States, but 
its varieties are less interesting than those of many other species. 
In the forest the trees are lofty, with straight stems and slender 
limbs. In open ground they are generally round-headed or 
ovate, of tolerably abundant foliage, but late in leaf, and less 
pleasing in color than many other trees. It is also noted for ex- 
hausting the soil to such an extent as to injure the lawn under its 
branches. 

The White Ash. F. americana. — This is the finest and loftiest 
of the family. It has a straight trunk, occasionally rising in the 
forest to one hundred feet, with light-colored or gray bark, latticed 
into ridges and deep furrows. The branches are clean, straight, 
numerous, and rarely large, and issue from the trunk at an acute 
angle. 

It is a refined, but not a majestic tree, without its leaves. In 
leaf it is occasionally a superb tree, symmetrically globular or ovate, 
with abundant foliage, of a dull or bluish-green color. The head 
does not break into fine masses until the tree is old. In autumn 



BE CIB UO us TBEES. 357 

the leaves change to a deep brownish-purple, and it is then, in con- 
trast with the brighter colors of the maples and other gay-leaved 
autumn trees, a valuable addition to the landscape. It requires a 
deep, warm, dry soil. No soil is considered poor or cold on which 
the white ash grows abundantly, while the black ash is equally 
noted for being at home in wet ground. We have known laro-e 
trees of the white ash much injured by excessive cold ; and infer 
that it will not be a good tree to plant in exposed situations at the 
north, though usually considered a perfectly hardy tree. 

The Black Ash. F. sambucifolia. — A tree of medium size • 
from fifty to sixty feet high in the forests, and forty to fifty feet iri 
open ground. Its bark is darker and less deeply furrowed than 
that of the white ash, and its limbs are less regular in their growth. 
The foliage is brighter colored, and in damp, open ground, quite as 
abundant. Its autumn foliage has no beauty, and as it comes late 
in leaf, this variety has no special value for ornamental planting. 

The other varieties of native ash are the F. pubescens, downy 
ash ; the F. quadrangulata, blue ash ; the F. juglandiflora, green 
ash ; the F. caroliniana, Carolina ash ; and the F. platycarpa, broad- 
fruited ash. The green ash is a large tree with brighter-colored 
leaves than the other varieties. The characteristics of the others, 
in open ground, we are not familiar with. A few of the foreign 
varieties of ash are more interesting for srnall grounds. 

The ash trees of England are mostly of the species known 
as the Fraximis excelsior, which is so nearly the same as our white 
ash that a description of one will apply to the other. The follow- 
ing are varieties of the F. excelsior : 

The Weeping Ash, Fraximis excelsior pendiila, is occasionally 
a beautiful tree, with a decidedly picturesque and rambling as well 
as pendulous habit; but fine specimens are not common in this 
country. It needs an unusually warm, rich, and deeply-drained 
soil. We remember one in the old Garden of Plants in Paris, the 
trunk of which formed the central support of a large summer-house, 
with branches falling over the thatched roof on all sides, and 
draping it to the ground with their foliage. It is always grafted on 



358 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 



some erect variety of ash, from seven to ten feet above the ground, 
and becomes a tree of considerable size, and usually of more 
breadth than height. It is inferior in beauty to the following weep- 
ing variety of the ash. 

The Golden Ash, F. aurea, and the Weeping Golden 
Ash, F. aurea pmdiila, are warmly commended by Sargent, the 
latter as "quite as hardy, and a great improvement on the old 
weeping ash." 

The Aucuba-leaved Ash, F. aucubqfolia, is a variegated-leaved 
variety that is quite striking in the spring and early summer, when 
the yellow spots on its leaves give it the appearance of a tree in 
flower. It is apt to lose its beauty in the heat of summer. 

The Gold-spotted-leaved Ash, F. punctata, is another varie- 
gated-leaved variety, considered by some superior in the brightness 
of its colors to the foregoing. 

The Variegated Willow-leaved, F. salicifolia variegata, has 
brightly-marked white and green leaves in the spring, which, how- 
ever, turn to a dirty brown in the summer. 

There are many new varieties in the great nurseries, that 
are not yet sufficiently grown to enable one to judge of their 
merits. 



Fig. 112. 



The Ash-leaved Negundo, Ash-leaved Maple, and Box 
Elder. Negundo fraxinifolium. Acer negundo. — This pretty na- 
tive tree, found growing on the 
mountains of the middle States, 
is one of the small trees well 
adapted to small grounds, and still 
but little known. It is allied to 
both the maple and the ash fami- 
lies, having seeds like the former, 
and pinnate leaves, as shown by 
our Fig. 112, like the latter; or 
more still like those of the elder 
family. The leaves are composed 
of five leaflets on a long petiole, 
and are of a bluish or pale-green 




DECIDUOUS TREES. 359 

color. The branches spring close to the ground, and form a low, 
loose, wide-spreading head. The seeds are borne conspicuously 
in autumn, and add much to the beauty of the tree. The leaves 
die off a rich yellow. Naked young wood smooth and pea-green, 
with long spaces between the buds. Usual height and breadth 
about twenty feet. The tree grows rapidly, and is not long-lived. 

The Curled Ash-leaved Negundo, N. crispum, is princi- 
pally marked by curled leaves, and has no superior beauty. 

THE POPLAR. Popuhcs. 

The poplars are all remarkable for a more or less tremulous 
motion of their leaves. All are rapid growers, some species ex- 
ceeding all other native trees in this quality. We have seen a 
Cottonwood, Populus canadensis, spring from the seed and attain a 
height of sixty feet in twenty years. 

The smaller species, such as the aspen, are short-lived trees, 
and their greatest beauty is attained young. A moist, warm soil 
suits them best. 

The species of poplar are very numerous, and we shall de- 
scribe only a few which have the most distinct character, or which, 
from their abundant distribution, should be known. All have 
catkins or blossoms which appear in the spring before the leaves, 
many of them with cottony attachments. They are not ornamental, 
and are often annoying, while floating in the air, or scattered on 
the ground. 

The following are the most prominent among the poplars : 

The American Aspen. P. tremula trepida. — This is the 
American type of that trembling sensitiveness to every breath of 
air which has made its English prototype the theme of a thousand 
poetic similes. Its small heart-shaped leaves, vibrating on slender 
petioles, seem to be ever in a buzz of excitement. No tree in the 
forest comes earlier into leaf, although the buckeye displays greater 
massiveness of early foliage. The exquisitely-delicate green of its 
first leaves is one of the most charming sights of the spring, while 
all through the summer their murmuring vibrations never cease 



S60 DECIDUOUS TREES. 

to be interesting. As the foliage is not dense, the tree is not de- 
sirable to plant for shade, but should be placed where it will be 
conspicuous in the spring, with a back-ground of heavier foliage in 
summer and autumn. 

The aspen sheds its leaves early, but they often turn a pleasing 
yellow before they fall that renders them quite ornamental. The 
growth is rapid in good soils, giving the tree a pyramidal form 
when young, and a symmetrically irregular outline at maturity. It 
rarely exceeds forty feet in height. The branches and twigs have 
a grayish hue, and the older bark is spotted with black. The outer 
branches are slightly pendulous as the tree grows old. 

The English Aspen, F. tremula, is very much like the pre- 
ceding, but comes into leaf a few days later, and is not so pretty a 
tree. 

The Weeping English Aspen, F. t. pendula, is a variety that 
has long been known in England, and has been grown for a few 
years in this country ; but we have seen no well-grown specimens, 
and cannot, therefore, describe it. 

The American Tooth-leaved Poplar, or Large Aspen, 
P. grandide7ita, is a variety with larger, rounder, and more scolloped 
leaves, and stronger growth, which comes into leaf much later than 
the first described aspen, and is less pleasing in all respects. An 
irregularly round-headed tree, from forty to fifty feet in height, and 
short-lived. 

The Weeping Poplar, P. g. pendula, is a variety of the pre- 
ceding species that has recently been much praised. It is proba- 
bly an interesting and picturesque tree, and to be preferred in 
planting to the common forms of the species. 

The Cottonwood or Canadian Poplar. P. canadensis. — 
This, we believe, is the largest of the family, often attaining one 
hundred feet in height. It forms entire forests in portions of the 
west, some of which are known as Cottonwood swamps, though the 
soil in which they grow is always warm rich land when drained. 
Its growth is the most rapid and coarse when young of any of the 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 361 

poplars — a character that unsuits it for small grounds, and adapts 
it to large spaces where it is desirable to have a quick, lofty growth 
of trees. For some reason, however, the best English gardeners 
prefer the black Italian poplar for the same purpose — a variety or 
species supposed to be a cross between this species and the black 
poplar of Europe. 

This tree has been appropriately named cottonwood from the 
quantity of cotton enveloping its seeds, which in May becomes 
detached and floats in the air in such quantities where the tree 
abounds as to be a great nuisance at that season. 

In its early growth the cottonwood is simply rank, upright, and 
uninteresting ; but after it has reached fifty or sixty feet in height, . 
its branches begin to bend gracefully, the foliage breaks into fine 
rounded masses, and it spreads into a park tree of noble propor- 
tions. It should never be planted near dwellings or in streets. 

The Black Poplar, P. nigra, of England, is said to resemble 
our cottonwood in most respects. 

The Black Italian Poplar. P. monilifera. — It is in doubt 
whether this is, or is not, a native of America. The fact that 
neither of the indefatigable Michaux found it wild in America, and 
that its characteristics unite those of the cottonwood and some of 
the European poplars, makes it probable that it is a hybrid between 
them. In form and vigor of growth it is like the cottonwood. An 
English specimen is recorded as having attained the height of 
ninety feet twenty-five years after planting! This in Worcester- 
shire. At the Syon Park, England, there is a tree of this species 
one hundred and two feet high, and about one hundred feet in 
breadth of head. 

The Balm of Gilead Poplar. Fopuliis catidicans. — This is a 
tree of great vigor of growth, with large conspicuous buds covered 
with balsamic gum. The leaves are nearly heart-shaped, from five 
to eight inches long, glossy on the upper surface, and downy be- 
neath. The form of the head when young is pyramidal, more com- 
pact than that of the cottonwood, and becomes a spreading tree of 
less height. The leaves appear two weeks later than those of our 
native aspeuj 



363 J)E CIDUOUS TREES. 

The Balsam-bearing Poplar or Tacamahac. F. balsami- 
fg^ci^ — Curiously enough, though we have lived in the States where 
this tree is said to be indigenous, we do not know that we have 
ever seen it. Loudon thus describes it : " The balsam poplar, in 
the climate of London, is the very first tree that comes into leaf; 
its foliage is of a rich gamboge yellow, and so fragrant as in moist 
evenings to perfume the surrounding air. The tree is remarkably 
hardy, but, unless in the vicinity of water, it seldom attains a large 
size in England, or is of great duration." 

It is very distinct from the Balm of Gilead poplar — having 
smaller and much narrower leaves, of ovate-acuminate form. It 
grows from fifty to eighty feet in height. 

The White or Silver Poplar, or Silver Abele Tree. P. 
alba. P. alba canescens. — This European or Asiatic species has 
been deservedly the most popular tree of the poplar family for 
the past twenty years. Contrary to our early impressions of it, it 
improves on acquaintance. It is the most spreading of poplars, 
of the largest size, exceedingly rapid growth, and, as far as we have 
observed, quite healthy. Its leaves are of a deep bright-green 
color on the upper surface, and have a white down on the under 
side, which, instead of disappearing as the season advances, as is 
the case on most leaves of this kind, seems to grow whiter, and in 
the summer and autumn breezes the tree glows as with myriads of 
great quivering white blossoms. 

The silver poplar comes into leaf later than the maples and 
earlier than the oaks, and holds its leaves later than any of the 
other poplars. In fact, it is in its glory in September and early in 
October. It has but one serious fault to prevent its being one of 
the most desirable wide-street or large-lawn trees, viz., its tendency 
to sucker or sprout from the root. On a lawn kept properly 
mowed, this tendency would not be very annoying, but in or near 
cultivated ground, or where the sprouts are once allowed to get a 
good start, they are quite troublesome. The dead leaves, too, are 
disposed to absorb dampness from the ground and rot where they 
lie. They should, therefore, be raked and put on the compost heap 
as soon as they have fallen. 



DECIDUOUS TREES, 363 

The form of the silver poplar is irregularly squarish, its foliage 
abundant and massy, and its branches light-colored, and of an 
ashy-green hue, smooth, and cheerful-looking in winter. It grows 
luxuriantly in almost any good moist soil, and becomes a spreading 
tree of great size in less time than any healthy tree we know of 
Cuttings from this tree take root freely, and make good trees ; but it 
is usually grown from suckers. It is said to be a longer-lived tree 
than others of its species. For wide avenues, or to stand out on a 
lawn, it is a superb tree, especially where the subsoil is a rich moist 
clay. But it takes up too much room to be suitable on any small 
grounds. We know of no tree that will so quickly make a noble 
shade for pasture fields. 

The Lombardy Poplar. F. fastigiata. — This model of a syl- 
van sentinel is one of the most peculiar of trees ; having the least 
diameter of head in proportion to its height of any tree known. 
This slender form has made it most useful in landscape gardening ; 
its spiry top being employed to form a central point in groups of 
trees, a back-ground relief to level-lined architecture, or to break, 
with its exceptional erectness, the more monotonous outlines of 
other trees. When first introduced into this country the rage for 
it was so great that town streets, and country roads, and farm-house 
yards, were everywhere filled with them ; but familiarity has bred 
contempt. It has been found that, though a tree of most original 
and picturesque character, it is not comparable to our native trees 
in variety of beauty, in usefulness as a shade tree, in cleanliness, or 
in healthfulness. Worms on the foliage, and borers in the wood, 
love the tree and kill it. It has become so unhealthy that it is not 
safe to plant one near the house, where its dirty fallen leaves would 
be annoying even were it a healthy tree free from worms. But its 
club-like form, and the vertical shadow lines of iis foliage, are so 
unique, and contrast so picturesquely now and then with round- 
headed groups of trees, that we must still use it, away from the 
house, in ornamental plantations. And it may be that the plagues 
which have infested it will diminish, and yet leave the Lombardy 
poplar with its normal beauty. In Italy, and in England, it is one 
of the loftiest of trees, attaining a height of from one hundred to 



364 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 



one hundred and fifty feet. There is a noble old specimen north 
of the Casino, in the New York Central Park, which exhibits all 
the beauties and faults of the species. 

There are many other species and varieties of poplars which 
are not distinguished by peculiarities or merits that make it desira- 
ble to enumerate them. 



THE WHITEWOOD OR TULIP TREE. 

tulipifera. 



Liriodendron 



Fic 



"3. 



A tree of lofty stature, straight and erect trunk, and exceeding , 
beauty of foliage. In its early growth the beauty of its leaves, 
which are of singular form, their unusual 
purity of color and perfect texture, and the 
smooth and symmetric growth of the trunk 
and branches, all combine to form an ele- 
gant tree. Yet its head does not usually 
break into such dense masses of verdure as 
those of the maples, the horse-chestnuts, 
and the hickories. Fig. 113 shows a re- 
markably pretty specimen of a whitewood, 
about twenty years old, and gives the forms 
of the leaves, flowers, and seed-vessels. As 
it becomes an old tree, the branches bend 
in downward sweep, rising at their extrem- 
ities, and tending somewhat to unequal 
lengths, form an outline at once irregu- 
lar and symmetrical, lofty and graceful. The play of light and 
shade among the openings of its boughs is similar in expres- 
sion to that which Loudon (as quoted on page 385) has char- 
acterized in describing the foliage of the European plane tree ; 
though that of the whitewood forms into somewhat more rounded 
masses. The leaves burst their buds about a week later than 
those of the sugar maple. They are from five to eight inches 
in width, and of a peculiarly square form, as will be seen from 
the above cut. In texture and color they are of that perfect t}^pe 




DECIDUOUS TREES. 365 

that leaves nothing to be desired ; and in autumn they turn to a 
yellow color almost as pure as their summer green, and then fall 
with those of the maple, strewing the ground with beautiful color. 
The flowers appear in June, of the size and form of tulips, a 
greenish-yellow color outside, and orange and yellow within. As 
the blossoms are upright, or nearly so, their brightest colors are 
not seen from below, so that the flowers are less showy as usually 
seen on the tree, than their size and warmth of color when ex- 
amined separately would lead one to suppose. If one could look 
down upon the top of the tree, when in full bloom, it would be a 
superb sight. The seed-vessels which succeed the blossoms are in 
the form of a cone about two inches in length. After the leaves 
fall the cones open and drop their seeds, but remain for many 
weeks upon the tree, their yellowish-brown hue giving them a re- 
semblance to blossoms. 

As a timber-tree the whitewood is remarkable above all other 
deciduous trees east of the Rocky Mountains, for the straightness, 
length, and size of its trunk. The author has seen a piece of 
whitewood timber grown in the valley of the Maumee which squared 
forty-eight by fifty-four inches, and sixty feet long; and trees are not 
uncommon which have one hundred feet in length of straight 
timber. Indeed, the trunk of a forest grown whitewood is one of 
the noblest of sylvan sights \ towering erectly without a branch like 
the redwood of California, to a great height. The bark is of a 
light color and soft texture, and divided into deep and lattice-like 
ridges and furrows, much like that of the white ash. 

Singularly enough, the whitewood seems to be the only tree of 
the species \ and though allied in traits to the numerous magnolia 
family on one side, and the more numerous poplar family on 
the other, it stands the unique representative of its family. 

The whitewood is not tenacious of life when transplanted ; and 
we advise persons who wish to grow them to choose nursery grown 
trees of small size in preference to large ones. The oftener they 
have been transplanted the better. Trees from the woods are very 
sure to die when planted in open ground. 



366 DECIDUOUS TREES. 



THE MAGNOLIA. Magnolia. 

The magnolias are suggestive of all the voluptuous luxuriance 
of tropical vegetation. Rapid growth, immense leaves, great blos- 
soms powerfully odorous, all combine to create an impression of 
trees at home in a warmer zone than that of our northern States. 
All the large species are, however, natives of our country, and it is 
believed that with intelligent care the finest of them, excepting only 
the evergreen magnolia, {grandiflora) may be domesticated and 
grown to their full size as far north as the southern borders of the 
great lakes, where the altitude does not exceed seven hundred feet 
above the sea. 

The cucumber magnolia {M. acuminata) grows to great size in 
forests at the west end of Lake Erie and in New Jersey, but entirely 
disappears in the forests a little further north. Latitude 42° may 
therefore be considered about its northern limit, and that of the 
magnolia family. 

Michaux speaks of the umbrella magnolia, M. tripetela, being 
found in the northern part of the State of New York ; but our 
eminent botanist, Gray, in his official report of the botanical survey 
of that State discredits this statement, having failed to find it except 
near the Pennsylvania border. It is found in greatest abundance 
in the upper portions of the Carolinas, Tennessee, and Georgia. 

The great-leaved magnolia, M. macrophylla, was not found 
by Michaux except in North Carolina and Tennessee ; the ever- 
green magnolia, M. grandiflora, always further south', while the 
swamp magnolia, M. glauca, is indigenous from Massachusetts to 
Louisiana. 

From these diversities of native habitats it may be safe to infer 
that most of the magnolia family may be domesticated on our 
lawns in the middle States, and in the northern States south of the 
great lakes, and probably in that part of Canada between Lake 
Ontario and the Detroit River. 

Some species, which have been introduced from China and 
Japan, are quite as hardy as the hardiest natives ; and crosses be- 
tween these and our indigenous species have been made which are 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 367 

valuable additions to our small trees. We believe that by crossing 
the species still further, very interesting hybrids and varieties may 
be produced. 

The cucumber magnolia being the strongest and hardiest spe- 
cies, is used as a stock upon which 

* * "to graft the gentler graces" 

of more delicate and beautiful sorts. Prof. J. P. Kirtland, of 
Cleveland, Ohio, whose very intelligent experience and success in 
growing fine magnolias near their most northerly line, entitles his 
opinion to great weight, insists that all the magnolias, which will 
grow in the northern States at all, should be grafted or budded on 
the acuminata stock. He says: "Employed for this purpose, it 
imparts vigor to the weak, hardiness to the more tender, and by its 
profuse supply of sap forces them into abnormal production of 
flowers, improved in size and perfection, as well as numbers." He 
describes the effect of grafting the swamp magnolia (glaiica) — 
which is but a large shrub on its own roots — on a seedling acumi- 
nata. The glauca grafted on the latter had become a broad, fine 
tree, twenty-one feet high, while the former, from which the bud 
was taken, in the same soil, and of the same age, was " an old and 
decrepit shrub, unworthy of attention." * While the Professor's 
advice is of great value, it indicates but one of many precautions 
which must be taken in the northern States to succeed in growing 
fine specimens of magnolias ; for, unless we can have them luxuri- 
antly healthy, it is not well to have our grounds encumbered with 
them. A thrifty hickory is better than a scrawny magnolia ; and 
other blossoms, on healthy trees, will more than compensate for the 
absence of flowers that grow on a tree which shows by its whole air 
that it is pining for a more genial home. Those who will grow fine 
magnolia trees north of Philadelphia must see to it that all the 
conditions necessary to their health and growth are complied with. 
One of these conditions, which will apply to all the magnolias, is 
that they be planted where they will be protected from high winds, 
especially north and west winds ; for which purpose plantations of 

* American Journal of Horticulture, March, 1S67. 



368 DECIDUOUS TREES. 

such evergreens as the pines and Norway spruce are best adapted; 
and they must have a deep, warm, moist soil, in which their roots 
can revel below the reach of the frost. Most of them need all the 
sun they can get on their tops, but their roots must be cool and 
shaded— 2^ condition easily maintained by a well-kept lawn and 
their own shadows, if they are encouraged to grow low. 

The bark of all the magnolias is favorite food for rabbits. 
Where practicable the stems near the ground should be bound with 
lath at the beginning of winter, and then covered with matting or 
straw as high as possible. Of course the ground around the stems 
should also be thoroughly mulched a little further than the roots 
extend. 

The peculiar habits and needs of the different species will be 
noted in their descriptions, which follow : 

The Evergreen-Magnolia or Big Laurel. Magnolia gran- 
diflora. {Laurier tulipier or tulip laurel of the French.) — We begin 
with a description of this, the most tender of all the magnolias, be- 
cause its fame is world-wide, as the acknowledged and worthy head 
of a royal family. Michaux, in his great work, the Sylva Americana, 
published nearly fifty years ago by the French government, says of 
it : " Of all the trees of North America, east of the Mississippi, the 
big laurel is the most remarkable for the majesty of its form, the 
magnificence of its foliage, and the beauty of its flowers. It is first 
seen in the lower part of North Carolina, near the river Neuse, in 
latitude 35°; proceeding from this point, it is found in the mari- 
time parts of the southern States, * * * and as far up the 
Mississippi as Natchez, 300 miles above New Orleans. The 
French of Louisiana call it Laurier tulipier. It grows only in cool 
and shady places, where the soil, composed of brown mould, is 
loose, deep, and fertile." 

Bartram (the great tree-hunter of the last century, whose superb 
collection south of Philadelphia, known as Bartram Garden, is now 
an illy cared-for wild-wood) speaks of it as forming "a perfect 
cone, placed on a straight clean trunk, resembling a beautiful col- 
umn ; and, from its dark-green foliage, silvered over with milk- 
white flowers, it is seen at a great distance." 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 369 

The finest specimens known of this species reach one hundred 
feet in height; but sixty feet is about the usual altitude. The 
leaves vary from nine to twelve inches in length, and from three to 
four or more inches in breadth ; they are always smooth and shining, 
and entire on the edges. The flowers appear in May, and the tree 
keeps on blooming through the season. They are white, produced 
on the summit of the last year's shoots, and are from six to eight 
inches in diameter. Their odor is powerfully fragrant, and when 
too near or too abundant oppressively so. 

The evergreen magnolia flourishes in the botanical gardens and 
parks of south France and Italy, where it has been introduced ; but 
not with the luxuriance that marks its growth on the bottom lands 
of the Gulf States. In England it is cultivated on walls and in 
hot-houses. It is decidedly a tender tree, and is not likely to 
repay any attempts to domesticate it north of Washington. 

The Cucumber Magnolia, M. acuminata, is a native of most 
of the States of our Union, and grows in western forests to a 
majestic size. Its trunk is straight, and the branches symmetrically 
disposed around the main stem. Growing in open ground, it as- 
sumes an ovate-conical form. The leaves are oval-acuminate, 
from six to ten inches long, and four to seven broad, and of a 
bluish green color. They drop early, turning to a dirty yellow 
before they fall. The foliage is massy and abundant in soils which 
are deep, warm, and moist; but in poor or dry ground the 
branches are not well covered, the leaves have a pale, sickly green 
color, and the whole aspect of the tree is coarse, and every way 
inferior in massiveness and color of foliage to the maples, hick- 
ories, and horse-chestnuts. The flowers, which have many petals, 
have the form, and more than double the size of a common tulip, 
and appear in June ; are of a pale-yellow color, varying to white 
.and bluish-white, and slightly fragrant. The fruit is about three 
inches long, resembling when unripe a green cucumber, — hence the 
name of the tree, — rose-colored, and ornamental when ripe. 

Michaux observes that the situations peculiarly adapted to its 
growth are the declivities of mountains, narrow valleys, and the 
banks of torrents, where the atmosphere is constantly moist, and 
24 



370 DECIDUOUS TREES. 

where the soil is deep and fertile. Such facts render it apparent 
that it is a tree unsuited to those open sites and gravelly soils at 
the north where the sugar maples and the common chestnut are 
most beautiful. It seems to us too gross a tree for small grounds. 
The following species is a more pleasing tree : 

The Heart-leaved Magnolia. M. cordata. — We have seen 
in northern grounds more healthy-looking trees of this variety than 
of any other. Doctor Kirtland thinks it may be only a variety of 
the M. acuminata ; but, whether a variety or a species, it is quite 
distinct in leaves, flowers, and style. It is a smaller and handsomer 
tree in all respects. Though a native of the Carolinas and Georgia, 
where it is found principally on the uplands and mountains, it is 
quite hardy in the Central Park, New York, and fine specimens 
are growing in private grounds near the Sound and on the Hudson 
River. Downing says of it : " It blooms in the gardens very young 
and very abundantly, often producing two crops in a season." The 
flowers appear in June and July, and occasionally afterwards till 
frosts. They are yellow, streaked with red, and from three to four 
inches in diameter. The leaves are smaller, rounder, darker, and 
more glossy than those of the acuminata, and are disposed to be 
wavy, which gives a finer play of light upon them. The form of 
the tree is a true ovate. The foliage is more abundant, and breaks 
into more pleasing masses than that of the larger-leaved magno- 
lias. It also keeps a tree-form naturally, while some of the latter 
are apt to throw up several stems from the heart near the ground. 

In ordinary lawn exposures, this species, we think, will prove 
only less interesting than the Magnolia macrophylla, on which, 
as well as on the M. tripetela and M. auriculata, the individual 
leaves and flowers are so magnificent, that the contours of the 
trees themselves, however ungainly, and the breaks of light and 
shade in their heads, are forgotten while observing their remarka-. 
ble details. This heart-leaved magnolia exhibits less striking 
features, and forms a beautiful connecting-link between the great- 
leaved magnolias and our exuberantly-foliaged northern trees, 
which are distinguished by the abundance rather than the size of 
their leaves. 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 



371 



Fig. 114. 



The Umbrella Magnolia. M. tripetela. — A species that 
seems always in doubt whether to be a shrub or a tree. Fig. 114 
shows, not its most common, but its best form, at about ten years 
of age. It grows rapidly to a huge bush or small tree thirty feet 
in height. If allowed to send up shoots at will, it is pretty sure to 
have half a dozen rival stems, and then it is an ungainly great- 
leaved, and great-blossomed bush. By using care, however, in the 
selection of a stocky low tree from the 
nursery, encouraging it to branch low, 
and not allowing any suckers to spring 
from near the ground, it can be forced to 
make the pretty tree-form shown in our 
cut, though this is not as low-branched as 
it is desirable to make them. 

The leaves are of great size, often from 
eighteen inches to two feet long on young 
trees, and seven or eight inches broad, 
oval, and pointed at both ends. They are 
disposed to grow in tufts at the extremi- 
ties of the limbs, so that the interior 
branches are bare. This peculiarity sug- 
gested the name of Umbrella Magnolia ; 
but the general form of the tree is such as to make the title utterly 
inappropriate ; but it is now too well established to change. 

In the latitude of New York this tree is generally in bloom 
from May to July, and isolated blossoms occasionally appear 
throughout the season; the flowers are white, from six to eight 
inches in diameter, cup-shaped, and have an unpleasant odor. 
The fruit is conical, five or six inches long, of a beautiful pink 
color, forming quite an ornamental feature of the tree. 

Loudon says of this tree: — "In Britain the tree sends up 
various shoots from the root to replace the stems, which are seldom 
of long duration." This is also its peculiarity in this countiy. 
Though it has been more generally planted than any other half- 
hardy magnolia, it is in all respects inferior to the Magnolia machro- 
phylla, which it most nearly resembles ; and to the M. cordata and 
the M. soulaftgeana, from which it differs widely. 




373 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 



Fig. 115. 




The Large-leaved or Michaux' Magnolia. M. macro- 
phylla. — This species has the most superb 
leaves of any tree we know of in the tem- 
perate zone, being from twenty to thirty- 
five inches in length, with a width equal to 
about one-third their length. It is a native 
of the mountainous regions of the Carolinas, 
and was first discovered by the elder Mi- 
chaux, in 1789, near Lincolntown, in North 
Carolina. He remarks, " Extensive re- 
searches made in quest of it, in the upper 
part of the southern States, and east of the 
Alleghanies, have been unsuccessful. In 
Tennessee it is found sparingly at intervals 
of forty or fifty miles. It appears to delight 
in cool sheltered situations where the soil 
is deep and fertile, where it is constantly attended by the M. 
tripetela.^' 

This species has less tendency to sucker than the tripetela, and 
becomes a broad oak-like tree, in form, from twenty-five to forty 
feet high, and equal diameter. In Parsons' specimen grounds at 
Flushing, L. I., there is a magnificent specimen with a trunk fifteen 
inches in diameter, and a head thirty-five feet in height and forty 
feet in diameter, and truly the most superb tree of its size we have 
ever seen. Its branches almost meet the ground, and when the 
wind plays with its great leaves their white under surfaces light the 
tree like a mass of immense white blossoms. This is one of the 
striking beauties of the tree, and one that is quite as effective on small 
as large trees. Fig 115 shows the characteristic form of the tree in 
from seven to ten years after planting, and also represents the pro- 
portional size of the leaves and the blossom. The leaves are heart- 
shaped at the base, and increase in width so that they are widest 
two-thirds of their length towards the point. The flowers, which 
appear in June and July, are of immense size, sometimes eight to 
ten inches in width, white, with purple spots near the centre, and 
pleasantly fragrant Fruit shaped like a cucumber, bright rose- 
color when ripe, and about four inches long. The bark is whitish 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 373 

and smooth, so that it can be distinguished from the M. tripetela in 
the winter by this feature. Young plants are said to grow slow 
until well established, but after they are well rooted the annual 
growth is from fifteen to thirty inches. It will bear a dryer soil 
than the M. acuminata, but depth, richness, and a surface pro- 
tected from the sun are indispensable. It would give us great 
pleasure to have this noble species named after its discoverer — 
Michaux. It was at one time so known in Europe, and we 
have inserted this name as a synonym, in hopes that it may yet 
be adopted. Nearly all the magnolias being remarkable for their 
large leaves, the title of large-leaved has not a very specific sig- 
nification. 

Bartram's Magnolia.* M. auriculata. — The ear-leaved mag- 
nolia of Loudon and the nursery catalogues. This sort was dis- 
covered by that great tree-enthusiast, Bartram, in the mountainous 
regions of the Carolinas, three hundred miles from the sea. Mi- 
chaux says, '•'! have nowhere found it so abundant as on the 
steepest part of the lofty mountains of North Carolina, par- 
ticularly those which are called by the inhabitants Great Father 
Mountains, and Black and Iron Mountains." "The soil of these 
mountains is deep, brown, and of an excellent quality, * * * 
and the atmosphere in such situations, is continually charged with 
moisture." 

It is found in but few regions. 

Bartram thus describes it as seen wild. " This tree (or per- 
haps rather shrub) rises eighteen to thirty feet in height. There 
are usually many stems from a root, which lean a little, or slightly 
diverge from each other, in this respect imitating the Magnolia 
tripetela ; the crooked wreathing branches arising and subdividing 
from the main stem without order or uniformity. Their extremities 
turn upwards, producing a very large roseaceous, perfectly white 
double flower, which is of a most fragrant scent. This fine flower 
sits in the centre of a radius of very large leaves, which are of a 



* We have taken the liberty of re-naming this species in honor of the discoverer, with the liope 
that the feelings which dictate the innovation will be shared by American tree-cultivators. 



374 DECIDUOUS TREES. 

singular figure, somewhat lanceolate, broad towards their ex- 
tremities, terminating with an acuminate point, and backwards 
they attenuate and become very narrow towards their bases, ter- 
minating in two long narrow ears, or lappels, one on each side of 
the insertion of the petiole." 

The fruit is quite similar to that of the M. tripetela. As this 
variety is not equal to the M. macrophhlla in size or beauty of leaf 
and flower, or in symmetry as a tree, it will be found desirable only 
in a collection where magnolias are made a specialty. It is proba- 
bly less hardy than the macrophylla or tripetela, but we are not 
aware that this has been tested. 

The Pyramidal Magnolia, M. pyramidata, supposed to be a 
variety of the above, is a much more symmetrical and pyramidal 
tree, with smaller leaves, and more tree-like form. It is found on 
the banks of the Altamaha river, in Georgia. We are not aware 
whether it has been tested at the north. 

The Swamp Magnolia, M. glauca, grows wild in swamps as far 
north as Massachusetts, and is found in abundance from New Jersey 
to Virginia. " It is rather a large bush than a tree ; with shining, 
green, laurel-like leaves, four or five inches long, somewhat mealy 
and glaucous beneath. The blossoms, about three inches broad, 
are snowy white, and so fragrant that where they abound in swamps 
their perfume is often perceptible for a quarter of a mile " (Down- 
ing). If Dr. Kirtland's success in growing this variety on the M. 
acuminata can become general, we have in this little tree one of 
the best ornaments of our lawns. It is a scrawny bush grown in 
dry open ground on its own roots, but does pretty well in a partial 
shade and deep moist soil. 

The foregoing are all natives of our own country. The follow- 
ing are natives of China and Japan, or hybrids between those and 
our own species, which have originated in British gardens. The 
remarks as to protection and care which have been made of mag- 
nolias in general, apply to all these. They are about as hardy as 
the native magnolias. 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 



375 



Fig. ii6. 




The Chinese White Magnolia. M. conspicua. — A beautiful 
small tree when in congenial soil, but quite often of scanty foliage in 
northern grounds. Its peculiar quality is the 
earliness of its great white blossoms, which 
appear in April before the leaves, and, ac- 
cording to Meehan, " combine the fragrance 
of the lily with the beauty of the rose." 
Yet the rose and the lily have this great 
advantage : — that their blossoms are nestled 
or environed in green leaves, while the 
blossoms of this magnolia appear in daring 
nakedness on the bare twigs of April. On 
warm spring days the appearance of such 
noble fragrant flowers is like a breath of 
the tropics after one has passed an iceberg 
at sea ; but when, after being invited to 
burst their buds, and expand by the first 

warm days of spring, they are often startled and chilled by the 
still whiter snows that occasionally fall in April, and seen from the 
windows of a fire-warmed room when chilly east winds drive all 
one's nature-loving fever back to the heart, instead of admiration 
they then inspire a kind of pity, and our kindliest wish is that they 
might be back in their warmer homes, where no snows could pale 
their whiteness, nor chilly winds drink their fragrance. In short, 
there is something unnatural in the sight of blossoms unsurrounded 
with the tender green of opening or expanded leaves ; and although 
we cannot but admire and be grateful for such bloom as the 
Chinese white magnolia gives us, we are not disposed to consider 
this pre-maturity of its blossoms as a desirable quality of trees or 
shrubs, and would value this one higher if the blossoms were to 
appear after, instead of before the expansion of the leaves. 

Figure ii6 shows the characteristic form of the tree five or six 
years after planting, and the form of the leaves and blossoms. It 
becomes a neat small tree from ten to fifteen feet in height. The 
flowers are from three to four inches in diameter, and appear in 
March, April, or May, according to the season or the latitude. 

This species, when grown as a tree, is usually grafted on the 



376 DECIDUOUS TREES. 

M. acuminata ; but by grafting on the M. purpurea, it is converted 
into a low shrub, suitable for growing in pots, and forcing, under 
glass, into winter bloom. It should have a well-drained, porous, 
warm soil. Having no leaves of its own during its blooming 
season, it is the more desirable to place it near evergreens, against 
whose dark foliage its blossoms will be pleasingly relieved, and 
whose height and foliage may shield it from winds. 

Fig, 117. 




PABSONS' MAGNOLIA SOULANGRANA. 



Soulange's Magnolia, M. Soulangeana, is a magnificent hybrid 
between the M. conspicua and M. purpurea, and more showy and 
vigorous than either. Fig. 117 is an imperfect representation 
of a superb specimen growing in the specimen grounds of the 
Parsons nursery at Flushing, L. I. ; in appearance a huge 
spreading shrub of large glossy foliage, but in size a tree, with 
a trunk fifteen inches in diameter, the head forty feet in breadth, 
and thirty feet high. It blooms in May. Its immense flowers 
begin to appear while it is in the nursery rows, and when larger 
it rivals the horse-chestnut in the splendor of its inflorescence. 
The two trees being in bloom at the same time, present the widest 
difference in the character of their flowers. Those of the magnolia 
are borne singly, are irregularly cup-shaped, from four to six inches 
in diameter, white, tinged with purple, and somewhat fragrant. 
The tree has the abundant masses of glossy leaves that distinguish 
the M. purpurea; but instead of being like that species a low shrub. 



B E CID U us TREES. 377 

requiring shade and the coolness of other vegetation near it to 
protect and develop its best character, this species will grow to 
large size in open ground (if the soil be deep, rich, and shaded), 
and the noble massing of its foliage is excelled by no other tree. 
The leaves are quite small compared with our American species 
of magnolia ; but though less showy separately, they break into 
finer masses. 

From all the information we have, it seems to us that this is 
the most valuable of all the foreign magnolias, and quite as hardy 
as any of the family. At Rochester, N. Y., though less luxuriant 
in its development than near New York and Philadelphia, it bears 
the winter with no protection. 

The Magnolia speciosa differs principally from the M. Soulan- 
geana in being of more upright habit, • and blooming ten days 
later. 

The Purple- flowered Magnolia. M. purpurea. — A low. 
spreading shrub, from four to eight feet high, and greater propor- 
tional breadth, noted for the fine masses of its very glossy deep- 
green leaves. These are from five to six inches long, widest in the 
middle, pointed at both ends, with wavy edges, and very glossy. 
Color, a pure dark-green. Flowers in April and May in profusion, 
and many scattered blossoms again in August and later j form, 
cup-shaped, three or four inches in diameter ; color, purple, shad- 
ing into white. Almost hardy in the climate of New York, and 
does well where protected from wind and sun on the roots, as it 
requires a moist, cool soil. One of the richest foliaged of shrubs 
for a shady border. 

The Magnolia gracilis, is a smaller variety of the M. purpurea, 
with darker- colored flowers. 

Thompson's Magnolia, M. Thompsoniana, is reputed to be a 
cross between the M. glauca and the M. tripetela, and is considered 
sufficiently distinct to be desirable in a collection. It blooms in 
June, several weeks later than the M. Soulangeana. 

A deep, porous, moist soil, not cold, but shaded from the direct 



378 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 



rays of the sun, is the most essential requisite in growing beautiful 
magnolias. If the reader remembers what is contained in Chapter 
XVIII, on growing half-hardy trees, and will follow its sugges- 
tions, there need be little fear of failure in growing this tropical 
family of great-leaved trees in most portions of the northern 
States. 

THE BIRCH. Beiula. 

The lightness, grace, and delicacy of some of the birch family, 
in bark, branching, and foliage, is proverbial ; and yet, within a 
few years, new varieties have been introduced that fairly surpass 
the acknowledged charms of the older members. 

Contrary to our ordinary habit of naming the best native 
varieties first, we shall begin with that most exquisite of modern 
sylvan belles — 



Fig. 1 1 8. 



The Cut-leaved Weeping Birch. £. lacianata pendula. — 
Wherever known, this tree stands the ac- 
knowledged queen of all the air}' graces 
with which lightsome trees coquette with the 
sky and the summer air. It lacks no charm 
essential to its rank. Erect, slender, tall, it 
gains height only to bend its silvery spray 
with a caressing grace on every side. Like 
our magnificent weeping elm, but lighter, 
smaller, and brighter in all its features, it 
rapidly lifts its head among its compeers till 
it over-tops them, and then spreads its 
branches, drooping and subdividing into the 
most delicate silvery branchlets, whose pen- 
sile grace is only equalled by those of the weeping willow. Fig. 
1 1 8 illustrates its common form about ten years after planting. 

We regret being unable to present an engraving that will 
suggest the airy grace of this tree. No engraving could do it 
justice. Like the palm tree of the tropics, it must be seen in 
motion, swaying in the lightest breeze, its leaves trembling in the 




DECIDUOUS TREES. 



379 



heated summer air, its white bark glistening through the bright 
foliage and sparkling in the sun, to enable one to form a true im- 
pression of its character. Professor Wilson in his " Isle of Palms " 
thus alludes to a birch tree : 

" on the green slope 



Of a romantic glade, we sate us down, 

Amid the fragrance of the yellow broom ; 

While o'er our heads the weeping birch tree streamed 

lis branches, arching like a fountain shower.'''' 



This birch is one of the most rapid growers among ornamental 
trees, attaining a height of thirty feet in ten years. 

The European Weeping Birch. B. pejidula. — This is the old 
weeping variety of the birch, and nearly all the encomiums of the 
preceding newer variety will apply to this, which would be perfect — 
"were t' other dear charmer away," The former is a little more 
delicate and decided in each of the peculiarities that make them 
both beautiful. Both of them are of more vigorous habit than our 
own very pretty white or mountain birch. They will probably grow 
sixty to seventy feet high, with a breadth of head somewhat less. 
The engraving of the preceding variety illustrates also the usual 
form of the common weeping birch when from thirty to forty feet 
high j which height they are likely to attain in ten or twelve years 
after planting. 



Ftg. 119. 



The European White Birch. B. alba, 
(Fig. 119.) — ^This is the common wild birch of 
the continent, from which the above beautiful 
varieties have sprung. It forms a tree some- 
what larger than our own white or mountain 
birch, which in most respects it resembles. 



The American Birches. — We quote 
Downing's excellent descriptions entire. 

" The American sorts, and particularly the 
black birch, start into leaf verj' early in the 
spring, and their tender green is agree- 
able to the eye at that season ; while the swelling buds and young 




380 DECIDUOUS TREES. 

foliage in many kinds give out a delicious, though faint perfume. 
Even the blossoms which hang like brown tassels from the droop- 
ing branches, are interesting to the lover of nature. 

" ' The fragrant birch above him hung, 
Her tassels in the sky, 
And many a vernal blossom sprung. 
And nodded careless by.'— Bryant. 

" Nothing can well be prettier, seen from the windows of the 
drawing-room, than a large group of trees, whose depth and dis- 
tance is made up by the heavy and deep masses of the ash, oak, 
and maple ; and the portions nearest to the eye on the lawn ter- 
minated by a few birches, with their sparkling white stems and 
delicate, airy, drooping foliage. Our white birch, being a small 
tree, is very handsome in such situations, and offers the most pleas- 
ing variety to the eye, when seen in connection with other foliage. 
Several kinds, as the yellow and the black birches, are really stately 
trees and form fine groups by themselves. Indeed, most beautiful 
and varied masses might be formed by collecting together all the 
different kinds, with their characteristic barks, branches, and 
foliage. 

" As an additional recommendation, many of these trees grow 
on the thinnest and most indifferent soils, whether moist or dry; 
and in cold bleak and exposed situations, as well as in warm and 
sheltered places." 

We shall enumerate the different kinds as follows : 

Fig- lio- "The Canoe Birch or Paper Birch, B. 

papyracea or Boleau a canot of the French Cana- 
dians, is, according to Michaux, most common 
in the forests of the eastern States, north of 
latitude 43°, and in the Canadas. There it 
attains its largest size, sometimes seventy feet in 
height and three in diameter. Its branches are 
slender, flexible, covered with a shining brown 
bark, dotted with white ; and on trees of mode- 
rate size, the bark is a brilliant white ; it is often 
used for roofing houses, for the manufacture of baskets, boxes, etc.. 




DECIDUOUS TREES. 381 

besides its most important use for canoes, as already mentioned. 
The leaves, borne on petioles four or five lines long, are of a 
middling size, oval, unequally denticulated, smooth, and of a dark- 
green color." Fig. 1 20 represents a young tree of this species. 

" The White Birch, B. popuUfoUa, is a tree of much smaller 
size, generally from twenty to thirty-five feet in height. It is found 
in New York and the other middle States, as well as at the north. 
The trunk, like the foregoing, is covered with silvery bark j the 
branches are slender, and generally drooping when the tree attains 
considerable size. The leaves are smooth on both surfaces, heart- 
shaped at the base, very acuminate, and doubly and irregularly 
toothed. The petioles are slightly twisted, and the leaves are 
almost as tremulous as those of the aspen. It is a beautiful small 
tree for ornamental planting." 

"The Common Black or Sweet Birch. B. lenta. — This is 
the sort most generally known by the name of the birch, and is 
widely diffused over the middle and southern States. In color and 
appearance the bark much resembles that of the cherry tree : on 
old trees, at the close of winter, it is frequently detached in trans- 
verse portions, in the form of hard ligneous plates, six or eight 
inches broad. The leaves, for a fortnight after their appearance, 
are covered with a thick silvery down which disappears soon after. 
They are about two inches long, serrate, heart-shaped at the base, 
acuminate at the summit, and of a pleasing tint and fine texture." 

" The Yellow Birch, B. lutea, grows most plentifully in Nova 
Scotia, Maine, and New Brunswick, on cool rich soils, where it is a 
tree of the largest size. It is remarkable for the color and arrange- 
ment of its outer bark, which is of a brilliant golden-yellow, and is 
frequently seen divided into fine strips rolled backward at the 
ends, but attached in the middle. The leaves are about three and 
a half inches long, two and a half broad, ovate, acuminate, and 
bordered with sharp irregular teeth. It is a beautiful tree, with a 
trunk of nearly uniform diameter, straight and destitute of branches 
for thirty or forty feet." 



363 DECIDUOUS TREES. 

" The Red Birch {B. rubra) belongs chiefly to the south, be- 
ing scarcely ever seen north of Virginia. It prefers the moist soil 
of river banks, where it reaches a noble height. It takes its name 
from the cinnamon or reddish color of the outer bark on young trees. 
When old it becomes rough, furrowed, and greenish. The leaves 
are light-green on the upper surface, whitish beneath, very pointed 
at the end, and terminated at the base in an acute angle. The 
twigs are long, flexible, and pendulous ; and the limbs of a brown 
color, spotted with white." 

A full collection of birch trees would form a very interesting 
arboricultural specialty for a suburban place, especially where the 
ground surfaces are irregular or rocky. 



THE LINDEN OR BASSWOOD. Tmia. 

The linden, famous in Germany as the shade tree of her most 
celebrated avenues — there taking the same rank that our elm 
does among us — is inferior to some of our native trees in many 
essential qualities. It forms an oval, symmetrical head, and the 
branches, which are smooth and regular, droop with a fine curve 
from the lower part of the trunk, and, rising again at their extremi- 
ties, form a graceful sweep most pleasing for an open lawn tree. 
Indeed, were it not that its leaves are inviting to certain worms, 
who make silk from them, and then suspend themselves in myriads 
from the tree, its abundant foliage and graceful form would espe- 
cially commend it for park use. The flowers appear in June and 
July, and hang in loose, pale yellow clusters, and are fragrant. 
Some of the species or varieties are said to be deliciously per- 
fumed. The leaves vary from a true heart-shape to an acutely 
pointed heart-shape ; are of a pleasing light-green color, and 
smooth, but not glossy, turning yellow in September, and are 
among the earliest to drop. The variety of lindens is not large. 

The American Linden or Basswood, T. americana, is mainly 
described in the above description of the genus. It is the most 
robust of the species. The leaves are from four to five inches in 
diameter, acute heart-shaped, and pale green. The growth is rapid. 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 



383 



The Broad-leaved Linden, T. macrophylla, is a new variety 
of the basswood, interesting from the exceeding size and luxuriance 
of its foliage. 

The European Linden, T. europa, differs from the American 
in having smaller, darker, and less pointed leaves, and in the more 
globular form of its head. 

The Grape-leaved Linden. T. vitifolia. — This is a new and 
charming variety. The leaves, which are deeply-lobed like those 
of some varieties of grape, are also large, more glossy, and of a 
brighter green than any other variety of linden. The tree is of 
vigorous habit. Young wood bright red. 



The Red-barked Linden, T. rubra, and 
the Golden-barked, T. aurea, the former 
with red and the latter with yellow branches, 
are considered "peculiarly beautiful in win- 
ter, when a few of them, mingled with other 
deciduous trees, make a pleasing variety of 
coloring in the absence of foliage." Fig. 
121 shows a young tree. 




The White Linden, T. alba, is a native variety, with the under 
side of its leaves downy, giving the foliage a grayish hue, and with 
finer flowers and lighter-colored bark. 

The Weeping White Linden. T. pendula. — Mr. Sargent 
says of it : " Of very pendulous habit, and the under part of the 
leaf very silvery. We esteem this one of the most, if not the most, 
ornamental of the lindens." Its pendulous habit is confined almost 
entirely to the tops of the branches and the growing wood. 

The White-leaved European Linden has a peculiar whitish- 
gray tone of foliage that makes it a striking tree to introduce occa- 
sionally as a contrast or foil for the more healthy greens. A 
robust tree. 



384 DECIDUOUS TREES. 

The Fern-leaved Linden, T. ladanata,\s curious on account 
of its shredded leaves. Of its habit of growth as it matures we 
cannot speak. 

All these beautiful or curious varieties may be readily grafted 
or budded on our basswood, so that persons having one or more 
trees of the latter may, without marring the general contour of the 
tree, test and compare the varied foliage of the different varieties 
of linden. 

THE PLANE-TREE. Platanus. 

The Sycamore or American Plane Tree. F. occidentalis. — 
There are but two species of the plane tree, and these differ con- 
siderably in their characters. One of them is our native sycamore 
or buttonwood, well known by its smooth and scaly gray bark, 
which, detaching itself in laminate pieces, reveals a whiter bark 
beneath, and gives the trunk and branches a spotted or spangled 
appearance. Occasionally the older bark scales entirely from some 
of the branches, leaving them nearly as white as those of the white 
birch. It is one of the largest and most rapid in growth of Ameri- 
can forest trees, and, previous to the discovery of the great trees 
of California and Oregon, its trunk was the most colossal vegeta- 
tion familiar to Americans. One has been cut measuring forty- 
seven feet in circumference ; and there was formerly a tree at Jef- 
ferson, Cayuga County, N. Y., with a hollow interior fifteen feet in 
diameter two feet from the ground I The enormous expansion of 
the trunk is one of its peculiarities, exceeding that of any other tree 
east of the Rocky Mountains. This characteristic disposes it to 
become hollow, yet to increase healthily on its trunk shell like the 
curious old chestnuts of Mount ^tna. The leaves are double the 
size, and resemble in outline those of the sugar maple, but are 
thinner, of a lighter green, have more strongly-marked ribs, and are 
rarely glossy. 

Notwithstanding the grand character of the sycamore, it is little 
esteemed of late years for decorative purposes. Aside from the 
fact that it is too large and rank a tree for small places, its diseases 
have done much to discourage its planting. The wood is subject 



DECIDUOUS TBEES. 385 

to the attacks of a borer, and the leaves are favorite food for worms 
to such an extent that few sycamores are seen which are not every 
summer denuded of half their foliage by these pests. The leaves 
also expand late, drop early, and are apt to rot where they drop. 
For these reasons it is less desirable than many other trees for 
streets or pleasure grounds. 

The Oriental Plane Tree. F. orientalis. — This species re- 
sembles our maples almost as much as it does its brother the 
sycamore. It is hardy, and in many respects more valuable for 
decorative planting than the American species. Whether the fol- 
lowing analysis of its character, which we quote from Loudon, is 
verified by its growth in this country, we have not had the means 
of judging, but it seems likely to form a connecting link between 
our compact and slower-growing maples and the loose rank growth 
of the sycamore. The passage quoted, however, is given quite as 
much for the purpose of presenting a fine analysis of the character- 
istics of trees as to call attention to the particular merits of the 
tree under consideration : 

" Pliny affirms that there is no tree whatsoever that defends us 
so well from the heat of the sun in summer, or that admits it more 
kindly in winter. Both properties result from the large size of its 
leaves. In summer these present horizontal imbricated masses, 
which, while they are favorable to the passage of the breeze, yet 
exclude both the sun and rain ; while, as the distance at which the 
branches and twigs of trees are from one another, is always propor- 
tionate to the size of the leaves, hence the tree in winter is more 
than usually open to the sun's rays. As an ornamental tree, no 
one which attains so large a size has a finer appearance, standing 
singly, or in small groups, upon a lawn, where there is room to 
allow its lower branches, which stretch themselves horizontally to 
a considerable distance, to bend gracefully toward the ground, and 
turn up at their extremities. The peculiar characteristic of the 
tree, indeed, is the combination which it presents of majesty and 
gracefulness ; an expression which is produced by the massive and 
yet open and varied character of its head, the bending of its 
branches, and their feathering to the ground. In this respect it 
25 



386 DECIBUOUS TREES. 

is greatly superior to the lime (linden) tree, which comes nearest 
to it in the general character of the head, but which forms a much 
more compact and lumpish mass of foliage in summer, and, in 
winter, is so crowded with branches and spray, as to prevent in a 
great measure the sun from penetrating through them. The head 
of the plane tree, during sunshine, often abounds in what painters 
call flickering lights ; the consequence of the branches of the head 
separating themselves into what maybe called horizontal undulating 
strata, or, as it is termed in artistical phraseology, horizontal tuft- 
ing, easily put in motion by the wind, and through openings in 
which the rays of the sun penetrate and strike on the foliage 
below. The tree, from its mild and gentle expression, its useful- 
ness for shade in summer, and for admitting the sun in winter, is 
peculiarly adapted for pleasure-grounds, and, where there is room, 
for planting near houses and buildings. * * * 

" A light deep free soil, moist, but not wet at bottom, is that on 
which the oriental plane tree thrives best ; and the situation should 
be sheltered, but not shaded or crowded by other trees. It will 
scarcely grow on strong clays and on elevated exposed places ; nor 
will it thrive in places where the lime tree does not prosper." It 
is one of the latest trees to come into full leaf, but the foliage is 
less subject to the ravages of insects than that of the sycamore. 



THE WILLOW. Salix. 

The willow family embraces an immense number of species and 
varieties. Loudon describes nearly two hundred. They are of all 
sizes and forms, from creeping plants a few inches in height, up to 
the magnificent weeping willow. The branches are uniformly slen- 
der and flexible, so that some varieties form the chief staple for bas- 
ket-making. Their growth is generally rapid and upright, the weep- 
ing varieties being exceptional. The white willow, S. alba, and the 
common weeping willow, .S. babylonica, become large trees in a few 
years. All the willows grow in moist soils, but the healthiest and 
most durable trees are grown in a warm well-drained soil, where 
water can be reached by the roots at no great distance from the tree. 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 
Fig. 122. 



387 




A WSEPZNa WILLOW ON 3XBATF0BD AVENUE, 1£AST BBIDGKFORT, 



The Weeping Willow, Salix babylonica, is by far the most 
beautiful of this great family, and its wonderful combination of 
charms are too common to be fully appreciated. It strikes root 
from cuttings as readily as a currant twig, and then grows with 
great rapidity, becoming a tree of irregularly-rounded masses fifty 
to sixty feet high and broad within twelve or fifteen years after 
planting. 

The weeping willow is the type of pensile trees. In their first 
growth the branches aim bravely upward, but the slender subsi- 
diary branches soon give up all struggle with the laws of gravity, 



388 DECIDUOUS TREES. 

and resign themselves to their fall with a graceful ahando7i that 
is bewitching. The trunk and great branches become ruggedly 
massive as the tree reaches maturity, and their deeply-furrowed 
bark contrasts finely with the delicacy of the spray. The weird 
movement of its drooping plumes of foliage, as they wave slowly in 
the slightest summer wind, is unequalled except by the more stately 
and exquisite palm of the tropics ; the full beauty of which can 
never be understood by those who have never seen the grace of its 
stately motion. But our willow is one of the grandest, as well as 
most graceful, vegetables of the temperate zone, and barely yields 
to the oak and the elm in majesty of proportion. Fig. 122 is a 
noble specimen spanning the old Stratford road in East Bridge- 
port, Conn., growing in a dry, well-drained soil, near the river or 
bay. It comes into leaf with the aspen and the buckeye, and 
holds its leaves later than any other large deciduous tree ; often 
exhibiting a noble mass of verdure when the chestnuts and the 
hickories, and even the maples, are quite bare of leaves. 

There is no good reason why this tree should be principally 
associated with graveyards. It is a sunny, cheerful tree, full of 
glorious vitality, and always beautiful, though it may have faults 
that unsuit it for some places. These are brittleness of limbs, 
tendency to decay soon after it attains large size, and the habit of 
its small leaves, when they fall, to settle into the grass and rot 
there, making it troublesome to keep the grass clean under them. 
The leaves are also attractive to the same caterpillar that weaves 
dirty webs in most fruit trees, but by timely attention in cutting 
out and destroying these nests this nuisance may be abated. Such 
faults make the weeping willow unsuitable for planting near a 
residence or as a street tree. It must be remembered that it 
quickly becomes a tree of great size, and should not be planted 
where it will not have room for expansion, or where the extension 
of its branches will injure and overtop other valuable trees or 
shrubs. Nor should it be planted in any considerable number 
together. All trees of a highly distinctive character should be 
introduced sparingly. The weeping willow and the Lombardy 
poplar represent two opposite extremes of individuality. If used 
in the proper places they serve by their very unusual forms to 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 389 

enliven or vary the more common tree outlines more perfectly than 
most other trees. 

The Ring Willow. Salix annularis. — This is only a variety 
of the weeping willow, curious on account of the leaf curling in the 
form of a ring. Portions of these trees occasionally return to the 
natural form of leaf, so that the simple form and the curled leaf are 
both growing on the same tree. It does not make so beautiful a 
large tree as the common sort, and is scarcely worth planting. 

The Golden Willow. Salix vitellina. — A tree but little 
smaller than the weeping willow, with similar leaves and tone of 
foliage, but without its perfectly pendulous habit. Its peculiarity, 
and one which makes it a marked, and often a beautiful tree, is the 
golden color of its young wood. When the tree is clothed with 
leaves, the yellow twigs seen through them give additional warmth 
of tone to their color, and when bare of leaves makes a bright and 
cheerful winter tree. It is irregularly round-headed in outline, and 
less broad in proportion than the weeping willow. The lights and 
shades in its head are softly blended, and the lightness and warm 
color of its foliage contrast well with trees having dark foliage or 
abrupt shadows. There is a beautiful specimen on the west side 
of the Mall in the New York Central Park. 

The White Willow, Salix alba, and the Russell or Bedford 
Willow, ^S". Russelliana, are both English varieties long domesti- 
cated in this country. They become large trees with great rapidity 
— attaining a height of sixty or seventy feet in thirty years. With 
the exception of the color of the bark they have the same general 
characteristics as the golden willow. 

The Glossy-leaved Willow, S. lucida, is a native shrub of 
considerable beauty, described by Gray in the Natural History of 
New York as " a shrub eight to fifteen feet high, with shining yel- 
lowish-brown bark. Buds yellowish, smooth. Leaves three to five 
inches long, and an inch or more in width, rather obtuse when 
young, but tapering at maturity to a long slender point, and rather 
acute at the base. A very handsome willow." 



390 DECIDUOUS TREES. 

There are hundreds of varieties of wild willows in wet places, 
most of which would not be valuable in pleasure grounds. The 
following are some of the dwarf varieties that are sold in our 
nurseries, and are quite as popular as their merits warrant. 

The Rosemary-leaved Willow, S. rosemarifolia, grafted 
standard high, is a small globular-headed tree, with branches radi- 
ating regularly from the centre. Foliage a dull grayish-green. 
Adapted for cutting into a formal outline, but inferior to hundreds 
of other shrubs and trees for that purpose. Of little value. 

The Goat Willow, S. caprea, in several varieties, with varie- 
gated leaves, are curious, but not of much value. 

The Kilmarnock Willow is the finest of the dwarf willows, 
and quite distinct in appearance from the others. It is grafted 
from four to seven feet high on the S. caprea, and forms, without 
trimming, a perfect umbrella head, with tips growing always toward 
the ground. It is so neat in form, and thrifty, that though only 
recently introduced in the country, it is to be seen in nearly every 
village yard. It is desirable to obtain specimens budded not less 
than seven feet from the ground. 

The New American or Fountain Willow, S. atnericana 
petidula, is another so-called dwarf variety, which, when budded 
standard high on an upright stock, is remarkable for the horizon- 
tality of its growth and pendulous branches, which hang like those 
of the old weeping willow. It covers a large area, and should not 
be planted on the supposition that being a dwarf it needs but little 
space, for in lateral extension it is no dwarf at all. 



THE LOCUSTS OR ACACIAS. 

The Black or Yellow Locust. Robinia pseud-acacia. — Were 
it a healthy tree we would place this in the front rank of ornamental 
trees of the second class in size. In delicacy, grace, and luxuri- 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 391 

ance of foliage and purity of color, it has, when in health, no 
superior, blending lightness of spray and massiveness of shadows 
to a degree seldom equalled. The blossoms, too, in abundant 
racemes in May and June, white and very fragrant, are worthy of 
the foliage. But a healthy locust tree is rarely seen, especially after 
the first ten years' growth. Almost everywhere the borer, a pesti- 
lent worm, chooses the trunk of this tree for his home, and its 
scantier foliage, dead limbs, and general look of seedy gentility, 
show too quickly the result. It has also some faults even in health 
that warn us not to fall too much in love with it. The branches 
break easily in summer winds, the roots sucker badly, the leaves are 
late to expand, and the tree even without the attacks of the borer 
is short-lived. 

The i?. -p-a bessoniana is a variety of strong growth, which is 
thornless, and regarded by some nurserymen as the finest of the 
family of acacias. 

There are several other varieties ; one with light-pink flowers, 
but with no other marked differences as ornamental trees. 

The Gummy Acacia. Robinia viscosa or glutinosa. — This is a 
smaller species than the preceding, and grows mostly in the south- 
ern States, but is hardy as far north as Albany, N. Y. It blooms a 
month later than the pseud-acacia, and the flowers are of a pale pink 
color, without fragrance. In foliage it closely resembles the common 
sort. The bark exudes a gummy substance, from which character- 
istic has arisen its botanical name. The shorter and more com- 
pact growth of this species, its beautiful foliage and pretty bloom, 
make it one of the most desirable of the acacias for small places. 

The Rose Acacia, R. hispida rosea, is a trailing straggling 
shrub rather than tree. The foliage is much like that of the com- 
mon locust, but its young wood is covered with mossy soft brown 
prickles. Its flowers, in rosy racemes about four inches long, ap- 
pear in June, in great abundance, and continue blossoming more 
or less through the summer. The R. h. macrophylla is a variety 
with larger leaves, and without prickles on the young wood. There 
are few more superb bloomers among shrubs than the rose acacia, 



392 DECIDUOUS TREES. 

but its habit of growth is so straggling and tortuous that it needs 
much care to keep it in a form suitable in polished grounds. It is 
recommended to have a single stem tied to a strong cedar post six 
or eight feet high (which should be permanent), with ti wire parasol- 
like frame fixed to the top to support the branches and allow them 
to fall on all sides from it. Thus trained there is no more exquisite 
flowering-shrub. The post alone will, if care is taken to keep the 
stem tied to it so as not to injure the bark, be sufficient to keep 
the tree in good shape. 

The Three-thorned Acacia or Honey Locust. Gleditschia. 
— A large and curious native of our forests, armed at all points with 
enormous compound thorns which grow even through the old bark 
of the trunk as well as on the branches, and arm all parts of the 
tree in the most formidable manner. Downing gives the tree high 
rank for ornamental purposes. We have seen much of it, in favor- 
able circumstances, and although it exceeds the Robinias in the 
flaky lightness of its foliage, and in picturesqueness of oudine, it 
is inferior to them in every other respect, and is a desirable tree 
only for the merits just named, which make it suitable as a pictur- 
esque condiment among trees of heavy oudines. Like the beech, 
though its branches form angles of about 45° with the main stem 
when the tree is young, the exterior foliage is disposed in horizontal 
strata, recalling by their appearance pictures of old cedars of 
Lebanon. Old trees especially, with their tabular tops, are re- 
markable for this appearance. The thorns of the honey locust 
which occasionally die out and drop off, are dangerous, as they lie 
concealed in the grass, to the feet of those who walk under them ; 
and this fact is an objection to the tree where there are children. 
In blossom the tree is less showy than the common locusts. The 
seed pods which succeed the blossoms are from five to nine inches 
long ; and though the seeds ripen early in autumn, the pods them- 
selves remain dry and hard upon the tree through the winter, and 
sometimes for more than a year, and are unsightly. 

There are some Chinese species or varieties, G. sinensis, whose 
characteristics are not sufficiently known to describe. Loudon 
mentions the G. s. purpurea as " a small tree of compact upright 



B E CIB UO us TREES. 



393 



growth, very suitable for gardens of limited extent." The G. s. 
inermis is a small sort without thorns, said to be suitable for small 
grounds. 




THE SOPHORA. Sophora. 



The Japan Sophora. Sophora japonica. — Considering the 
delicacy of its foliage, its purity and depth of color, and the hardi- 
ness of the tree, it is curious that so few fine specimens of this tree 
are yet to be seen in this country. Fig. 123 is the portrait of a 
full-grown tree in the Syon Park, England. We have heard of no 
large specimens in this country. The tree here shown * was fifty- 
seven feet high, eighty-four feet wide across its branches, and four 
and one-half feet diameter of trunk. This size is probably its 
greatest, as nearly all the trees growing in that famous park attain 
unusual dimensions. The foliage of the sophora closely resembles 
that of the common locust, but is a little darker. The young wood 



* From Loudon's Arboretum Britannicum, Vol. V, p. 76. 



394 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 



is dark green. The tree is believed to be hardy, and, as far as we 
can learn, is not subject to the attacks of the borer which destroys 
our locust trees. Loudon says of it: "None of the arboreous 
leguminacae are equal to this tree in beauty of foliage and bark 
Its flowers (which are cream-colored and appear in August), when 
they are produced, are also in large terminal-compound spikes, and 
very conspicuous, though smaller than those of the Robinia viscosa. 
One remarkable property in the sophora is, that the very hottest 
and driest seasons do not pale the foliage, or cause it to drop off." 
The peculiar tone of its foliage is a deep velvety green, that is 
unequalled by any deciduous tree we know of. It requires a thor- 
oughly drained soil. The leaves are among the last to surrender 
to autumn frosts, and turn to a yellowish-green before they fall. 
The bark exhales a strong odor when cut, and is said to produce 
colic on those who are engaged in pruning the tree. 



The Weeping Japan Sophora, S.j. pendula, is the finest of 

small pendulous trees when grafted on a thrifty stock at a height 

„ of seven to twelve feet from the 

Fig. 124. 

ground. Its young branches are 
green and somewhat angular or 
crooked, so that in winter the 
tree has a knotted and curious 
look. Its deep velvety-green 
color, delicately formed acacia- 
like foliage, and the bold breaks 
of light and shade in its head, 
altogether make so rich an effect 
as to attract the attention of all observers. It is, at the same time, 
symmetrical and picturesque, while the Kilmarnock willow is mo- 
notonously symmetrical or lumpish. It seems to be difficult to 
propagate this variety. Specimens well started, standard height, 
still command a high price at the nurseries. Fig. 124 is a 
representation of the prettiest specimen of the weeping Japan 
sophora we have seen, growing in the deep rich sandy loam of 
Parsons' specimen grounds at Flushing, L. I. It is grafted but 
seven feet from the ground, and the branches, spreading first with 




DECIDUOUS TREES. 395 

irregular horizontality, finally droop till they meet the ground, form- 
ing a perfect and deeply-shaded bower. The tree covers an area 
about sixteen feet in diameter, and is of equal height. The en- 
graving might naturally be mistaken for a weeping willow, while 
the tree itself, by the deeper green of its foliage, and the marked 
diiference in the position of its leaves, is at once distinguishable 
from a willow, with which, indeed, it would form a pleasing contrast 
in all but its form, and the common, though differing delicacy of 
their foliage. 

We consider this a hardy tree ; but, if one would quickly realize 
its full dower of beauty, it must have unusual care. First, very deep 
drainage is essential to its health. Second, a young tree, which is 
budded or grafted from seven to ten feet high, having no side limbs 
and foliage to strengthen its trunk while the artificial head is form- 
ing, must be supported a few years by short stakes, and protected 
both in summer and winter from the sun and the cold by matting 
bound around the trunk, and thorough mulching over the roots. 
The deep drainage, after five years' growth, will have invited the 
roots down to soil which is never frozen, and then, if the tree has 
had a healthy growth, further precautions may not be needed. 
The matting should be taken off the trunk early every spring and 
fall, and renewed for both summer and winter protection. 

Sophora heptaphylla. — A Chinese shrub, six feet high, with yel- 
lov/ flowers in October. Leaves with seven leaflets. Little known. 



THE VIRGILIA. Virgilia lutea. 

Downing remarked more than twenty years ago that this fine 
tree was still very rare in our ornamental plantations, and the 
observation is as true now as then. Mr. Thomas Meehan, of Ger- 
mantown, Pa., informs us that the tree is one of the most difficult 
to get established ; and this, not because of its want of hardiness, 
for when once well established, it does not seem to suffer from 
cold in the most exposed location at Philadelphia, nor in ordinary 
exposure at Rochester, N. Y. It is said to Tae simply not tenacious 



396 DECIDUOUS TREES. 

of life when young, or perhaps unusually fastidious in soils. On 
the other hand, a planter in Rochester tells us that he has no more 
difficulty in making it grow than with any other tree. 

The virgilia forms a compact head usually heavier on one side 
than the other ; and somewhat resembles the horse-chestnut, though 
its foliage is of finer texture, and its leaves mass in short hori- 
zontal layers, forming sharper lights and shadows. These shadows 
are as sharply defined as those of the. beech tree, but not so thin, 
nor so regular. The color of the foliage is remarkable for its 
purity. The leaves are compound, and a little larger than those 
of the shell-bark hickory, with from five to eleven alternate, ovate, 
pointed leaflets. The leaves expand with the hickory, and keep 
the purity of their color till frosts, when they turn to a warm 
yellow. 

The flowers appear about the middle of May in large white 
racemes or clusters of pea-shaped blossoms six to eight inches 
long, and cover the tree, so that it is then one of the most charming 
of all trees. It commences to bloom young, and develops its 
beauty from the start. The bark is so smooth that this feature 
alone would attract attention to the tree, and suggest the con- 
clusion which all its other traits confirm, that it is one of the most 
polished and elegant of lawn trees. It will show to best advantage 
if planted northward from the point from which it is to be seen 
most, so that its southern side will be towards the observer, and 
its northern and western sides can be shielded from wind by ever- 
greens. A dry, deeply-drained, porous soil is essential ; and also 
full exposure to the sun, and some protection from wind. 

At the residence of Miss Price, Manheim street, Germantown, 
Pa., the tree mentioned by Michaux forty years ago as a fine speci- 
men at that time, is still a hale tree, sixty feet high, and extends 
its branches over about seventy feet, mostly on one side of the 
trunk, the other side being shaded and confined by large pines and 
a lofty cucumber tree that overtops it. It is remarked by those 
familiar with the tree that there seems an irresistible tendency of 
the virgilia to grow principally on one side, even when fully ex- 
posed on all sides to the sun. The place where this virgilia grows 
is completely exposed to the deepest freezing of the soil ; as the 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 397 

Street, which passes within twenty feet of its trunk, has been cut 
down four feet below the level of the ground about the tree, the 
latter being supported by a wall on the street line. The extension 
of this tree is over the road, which is also on the south side. 

In the old Bartram garden, south of Philadelphia (now the 
residence of A. M. Eastwick, Esq.), is a beautiful specimen of the 
virgilia. It is thirty feet high, thirty-five feet in diameter of head, 
with a trunk fifteen inches thick. This tree grows principally on 
the west side ; and in September, when the author saw it, was a 
superb mass of foliage. In size the virgilia is inferior to the horse- 
chestnut, and when young not so compact, but with age it bears 
more resemblance to that tree than to any other species, though 
they are readily distinguished from each other by the sharper 
shadow-lines of the virgilia, and the finer quality and different 
character of the leaves. 



THE KENTUCKY COFFEE-TREE. Gymnodadus canadensis. 

This curious tree is a sort of combination of the peculiarities of 
many trees. In its stubby cane-like young branches, and doubly- 
compound leaves, it resembles the large shrub or small tree called 
Hercules club ; in the massing and breaks of its foliage it re- 
sembles a fine black or yellow locust, though its leaves are not so 
delicate ; while in outline it is like the black walnut, but with a 
heavier and more rounded or oval contour. Its young branches are 
so cane-like, and without any indication of buds, that the tree in 
winter has the appearance of being dead. The bark of the trunk 
is also extremely rough, and curiously broken transversely. The 
leaves on young trees are three feet long, and twenty inches wide, 
but much smaller on mature trees. Each main leaf stalk bears 
from four to seven pairs of compound leaves, each of which is com- 
posed of from six to eight pairs of leaflets, so that each main 
petiole, or leaf-stem, may bear from forty-eight to one hundred and 
seventy-four leaflets ! The leaflets are of a bluish green, and the 
general tone of the tree is not among the most lively greens. The 
blossoms are borne in short spikes from May to July. The leaves 



398 DECIDUOUS TREES. 

come out late, and drop early, turning yellow before they fall. The 
male and female blossoms of this species are borne on separate 
trees. It becomes a tree of secondary size, from fifty to sixty feet 
in height. The early growth is more rapid than that of the sugar 
maple,, but is about the same in their later stages. 



THE AILANTUS. Ailantus. 

This exotic, so popular thirty years ago, is certainly now "in 
bad odor." Its rank growth when young, its luxuriant and grace- 
ful compound leaves, from three to six feet in length, and the fact 
of its novelty, both in growth and name, when introduced from 
China (the latter being no less a title than the " tree of heaven "7— a 
title erroneously given, but piously adhered to by those who were 
selling them), altogether caused it to be planted to an extent that 
its character, on a better acquaintance, does not warrant. It had 
the additional misfortune to be mostly planted as a street tree in 
cities ; just where its great fault is most felt, and its beauties least 
appreciated. This fault is the unpleasant odor of its blossoms, 
which, to a few persons, is reputed poisonous. 

It is a quality which should place it under ban for street plant- 
ing, but not one of sufficient gravity to require us to banish it from 
parts of pleasure-grounds at a little distance from streets and resi- 
dences. The odor of new-mown hay, and even of roses and straw- 
berries, is nauseating and productive of fevers to a few unfortunately 
organized persons ; but such exceptional facts do not prove them 
to be poisonous. The odor of the flowers of the ailantus is dis- 
agreeable to almost every one, but it lasts but a short time ; and if 
the tree can be planted at a respectful distance from walks and 
windows, it does not seem to us a sufficient cause to abandon the 
cultivation of so beautiful and peculiar a tree. 

The exceedingly rapid growth of the ailantus when quite young, 
sometimes making canes in a single season from ten to fifteen feet 
long,- would be a merit, if this wood could be kept from winter-killing. 
But this very rank growth is generally killed back in winter. Such a 
growth being excessive, it is evident that the tree will start more 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 399 

hardily in dry poor soils ; for which, in fact, it is admirably adapted. 
But it is only during the first five years after planting that care must 
be taken to keep down its vigor. When deeply rooted the rate of 
growth is slower, and as it becomes a spreading tree, its beauty is 
greatly heightened by having a rich surface soil. 

The ailantus forms a low, square, broad head. There are no 
full grown trees in this country, but we believe it will attain a height 
and breadth of about sixty feet in the climate of Philadelphia, and 
somewhat less north. 

There are many features of the ailantus that give it a rare and 
peculiar beauty, admirably suited to add to the variety of colors and 
forms in groups of trees. We have no tree that can take its place ; 
none with such immense compound leaves, which alone give the tree 
an unique character ; and they are thrust out boldly from the tree, 
thus showing their character to the best advantage. Their color is 
also of that thrifty yellowish-green, rare among our native trees, 
and therefore more needed in contrast with them. The flowers, 
in large terminal panicles, of a yellowish-green color, appear in 
May and June, and cover the tree with a feathery flowering that is 
very pleasing to the eye, however unpleasant in odor. In autumn 
these blossoms are changed to great masses of yellow and orange- 
brown seed-clusters that add greatly to beauty of the tree, and 
heighten the individuality of its expression. The leaves when 
touched by the cold occasionally turn a fine yellow, but drop 
quickly. The bark of the young wood is of a golden hue, and 
that of the trunk quite dark colored. 



THE LIQUIDAMBER OR SWEET GUM. Liquidatnber. 

This is a great favorite in English parks, was warmly com- 
mended by Downing twenty years ago, and is widely distributed in 
its wild state throughout our country ; yet to this day it is almost 
unknown to a majority of suburban planters. The tree bears a 
general resemblance in form and foliage to the sugar maple, and 
grows to about the same size ; but when young has a more pointed 
top and conical form ; the leaves, however, are more star-like, 



400 



DECIBUOUS TREES. 



Fig. 125. 




thicker in texture, more deeply lobed, as shown on Fig. 125, and 
glossier than the leaves of the maple. 

This engraving is a portrait of a fine 
specimen about forty years old, growing 
in the grounds of T. S, Shepherd, Esq., 
at Orienta, near Mamaroneck, N. Y. It 
was transplanted to its present location 
from an adjoining field when the trunk 
was nearly twelve inches in diameter, 
and has become a luxuriant tree again. 
During the summer the tree may be 
easily mistaken for an unusually dark 
and glossy-leaved sugar maple, but is 
distinguished from it not only by the 
peculiarities of its leaves, already men- 
tioned, but by the curious appearance of its secondary branches to 
which the bark is attached in corky ridges as on the cork-barked 
elm, giving the branches a more rugged appearance. 

The tree is found from New Hampshire to the Isthmus of 
Darien ; but it is only at the south that a characteristic which gives 
the tree its name is observed. A fragrant gum there exudes from 
its bark, which resembles liquidamber, and the tree was so named 
by the Spanish naturalist who first described it. 

Downing's enthusiastic description of this tree is so good that 
we transcribe it for the reader. 

"We hardly know a more beautiful tree than the liquidamber 
in every stage of its growth, and during every season of the year. 
Its outline is not picturesque or graceful, but simply beautiful ; 
* * * it is, therefore, a highly pleasing round-headed or taper- 
ing tree, which unites and harmonizes well with almost any other in 
composition ; but the chief beauty lies in the foliage. During the 
whole of the summer months it preserves unsoiled that dark glossy 
freshness which is so delightful to the eye ; while the singular, 
regularly palmate form of the leaves readily distinguishes it from 
the common trees of a plantation. But in autumn it assumes its 
gayest livery, and is decked in colors almost too bright and vivid 
for foliage, forming one of the most brilliant objects in American 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 401 

scenery at that season of the year. The prevaiUng tint of the 
foHage is then a deep purphsh red, unlike any symptom of decay, 
and quite as rich as are commonly seen in the darker blossoms of 
a dutch parterre. This is sometimes varied by a shade deeper or 
lighter, and occasionally an orange tint is assumed. When planted 
in the neighborhood of our fine maples, ashes, and other trees re- 
markable for their autumnal coloring, the effect in a warm dry 
autumn is almost magical." 

Loudon says of it : " When bruised, the leaves are fragrant at 
all seasons ; but in the spring, when they are at first unfolding after 
a warm shower, the surrounding air is filled with their refreshing 
odor." 

The liquidamber does best in a moist soil and sheltered situa- 
tion. Though less beautiful in dry gravelly soils than the sugar 
maple, its form, and leaves, and autumn colors, ally it to the maple 
family, and it should be planted where trees of that species are 
made a specialty. We will add one trait of its autumn color that 
is not included in Downing's excellent description — its peculiar 
golden bronze tone, caused by the mingling of green, yellow and red 
leaves in its head. This tone is, at the first glance, less brilliant 
than the colors of the scarlet maple and scarlet oak ; but as the 
eye rests upon the tree it seems to drink deeper and deeper of 
the colors until the tree fairly seems to glow with a fascination re- 
motely allied to the effect produced by gazing at the clouds and 
sky of a gorgeous sunset. 



THE TUPELO OR PEPERIDGE TREE. Nyssa, 

There are several species of the tupelo. The common one 
in the northern States is the Nyssa biflora, or twin-flowered, 
known in some regions as the sour gum. It is usually found in 
wet ground, and when grown in swampy places is a conical, rigid, 
gloomy tree. Its branches are in level strata around a centre 
stem like those of the firs, and have the same hard, thorny rami- 
fication of twigs that characterizes the pin oak. Its top in the 
forest usually turns to one side after the tree is from thirty to forty 
26 



402 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 



Fig. 126. 




feet high. In swampy ground we have seen trees from sixty to 
seventy feet high, and covered to the base with wiry branches. 
The trunk rarely exceeds eighteen inches in diameter. 

In warm, rich and moist soils the tupelo 
changes its character and becomes a wide- 
spreading small tree, still retaining its 
tendency to a conical form in some de- 
gree. Fig. 126 is a characteristic form 
of the tupelo, being the portrait of a tree 
about thirty years old, grown on a com- 
mon dry upland, but does not do justice 
to the clearness of its shadows. On rich 
ground it spreads more, and takes the 
form of a small cedar of Lebanon. 

The leaves of the tupelo are about 
three inches long, pointed-oval, thick, uncommonly glossy, and of 
a dark green. They appear late in the spring, and fall early ; but 
before they fall their color is unsurpassed in purity and brilliancy by 
that of any other tree, varying from a fiery scarlet to a deep crim- 
son. It is an essential tree in any group designed to exhibit the 
brilliancy of autumn foliage, and a pleasing lawn tree at all times 
when in leaf When out of leaf its dark bark and angular twiggi- 
ness is not pleasing. The tree is easily transplanted, and will 
grow in any moist soil, but improves like most other trees in 
proportion as the soil is deep and rich. 

The other varieties of the tupelo are the N. grandidenta, or 
tooth-leaved, a large tree of the southern States ; the N. candicans, 
or Ogeechee lime tree, a southern tree also, of smaller size ; and the 
N. sylvatica, or black gum — none of them notable for their beauty. 



THE CHERRY TREE. Cerasus. 



The edible fruit-trees of the cherry family are divided into two 
classes, viz : the C. sylvestris, or wild black-fruited, and C. vulgaris ; 
the latter embracing all the Kentish, morello, and sour red cher- 
ries ; and it is supposed that all the finer varieties of cherries have 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 403 

sprung from these parents. Our native wild cherry, with black 
fruit, is the Cerasiis virginiana. 

There is no fruit-bearing tree so essential to a suburban home 
as the cherry-tree. Climbing into its branches to eat cherries is 
one of the pleasantest of June enjoyments for young or old. Half 
the pleasure of eating cherries is in plucking them where they 
hang. Some large fruits may be bought more economically than 
they can be raised on suburban lots, but cherries are emphatically 
the fruit-trees of village homes. 

The number of varieties in cultivation for their fruit are listed 
by hundreds in the nursery catalogues. We shall attempt no 
enumeration of these, but simply give the names of a few standard 
sorts, and describe more fully only such as are particularly known 
as ornamental trees. 

The following varieties, ripening pretty nearly in the order 
named, are among the best for fruit : Baumann's May, a rank up- 
right grower, forming a conical tree ; the early purple Guigne, a 
globular tree with small and numerous branches ; Knight's early 
black, a strong grower, rather spreading ; the black tartarian, of 
strong fastigiate growth ; the Mayduke, globular and compact ; 
Elton, pyramidal ; Downer's late, rather compact ; Downton, pyra- 
midal ; late Duke, similar to Mayduke in form. Nearly all the best- 
fruited sorts form handsome trees, though many of them in the 
western States are more tender and liable to disease than wildings. 
The reader is referred to fruit-books for a selection of cherries 
suited to special localities. All the fine cherries seem to do much 
better on gravelly and clayey soils than in a light sandy loam, or 
rich alluvium, and should never be forced into rapid growth for the 
first five years after planting. In rich soils their growth is so 
rapid, when young, as to engender diseases before they are full 
grown, especially where there is not good subsoil drainage. 

The following, known as bird cherries, are planted solely for 
ornament : 

The European Bird Cherry, Cerasus padus, is considered by 
many one of the most ornamental of small shrubby trees. That 
excellent horticultural authority, Thomas Meehan, of Germantown, 



404 BECID-UOUS TREES. 

Pa., says of it : " For a single specimen on a lawn, it is not ex- 
celled. Its' habit is good, and its flowering abundant," The leaves 
are rather narrower and thinner than those of the common cherry. 
The flowers are white, in racemes from two to five inches long, and 
appear in May. The fruit, ripe in August, is black, austere, and 
poisonous, but showy, from the abundant racemes that cover the 
tree. The growth when young is rapid, somewhat straggling, and 
is improved by clipping. Form at maturity, oblate. Height 
twenty to thirty feet. 

The Cerasiis padiis bradeosa is a variety of the above, especially 
recommended in England on account of its larger racemes of pen- 
dulous flowers and fruit. 

The Mehaleb Cherry, C. mehaleb, has a large glossy leaf, 
rapid growth, and symmetric form, giving promise of great beauty 
when young, but as it comes to full size the foliage becomes 
meagre, and the mass of branches conspicuous, making it a tree of 
little beauty. It forms a round head, twenty to thirty feet high. 

The American Wild Cherry, C. virginiana (serotina ?J grows 
wild all over our country. It is a large tree, and one of considera- 
ble beauty at every age. The bark and berries are used in spirits 
to make infusions that are considered medicinal. It is a compan- 
ion for the birches in the lightness or slenderness and partial 
pendulousness of its outer spray, but the opposite of that family in 
the color of its bark and leaves ; the young wood being very dark, 
purplish, and the leaves also dark, but glossy. The characteristic 
form of the tree is squarish-oval, the height greater than the 
breadth, and gracefully irregular in outline. When well grown, in 
rich soil, the dark luxuriance of its shining foliage contrasts well 
with such trees as the birches, the catalpa, or the kolreuteria. 

The Ever-flowering Weeping Cherry. C. semperflorens. — 
One of the prettiest of small weeping trees. Grafted on the proper 
stock, it becomes a square-headed tree ten feet high, flowering and 
fruiting all summer. The flowers are white, and like those of the 
common cherry. 




DECIDUOUS TREES. 405 

The Dwarf Weeping Cherry. C. pumila pendula. — This is 
one of the most exquisite of little garden pets. Everything about 
it is in miniature. The leaves and blossoms, both of extreme deli- 
cacy, hang in matted masses differently from 
the spray of most weeping trees. Fig. 127 is a 
sketch of a young specimen in the grounds of 
Ellwanger & Barry at Rochester. It ought 
not to be called a tree ; for though it is grafted 
on a single stem of another sort, and there- 
fore maintains a tree form, its size is rather 
that of a green-house tub-plant. The growth 
is very slow, and it is said to be difficult to 
propagate. It should not be grafted more than four or five feet 
high. Under favorable circumstances it may become a miniature 
tree six or eight feet in height, and equal diameter. 

The Laurel Cherry-trees, or Portugal Laurels, Cerasus 
lusitanica and C. Imirocerasus, are half-hardy evergreens, greatly 
esteemed in the south of Europe and the warmer parts of England. 
They have been found too tender to thrive in the N. Y. Central Park. 

The Carolina Bird Cherry-tree, C. caroli?tiana, is another 
evergreen shrubby tree, indigenous in the Gulf States and in the 
West India islands, and one of the most superb ornamental shrubs- 
of those regions, but too tender to thrive in the middle or northern 
States. 



THE GINKGO OR SALISBURIA TREE. Salisburia 
adiantifolia. 

A native of Japan, remarkable for uniting in its leaves the pecu- 
liarities of the pine family with those of deciduous trees. Its 
leaves are like a tuft of the needle leaves of the pine, flattened out 
and united together in a fan-like form. They are small, peculiarly 
clean, sharp-cut, and of a light clear green color. The bark is 
whitish and fibry, like the surfaces of old pine shingles. The 
branches incline upward at an angle of 45° with the trunk, are 



406 DECIDUOUS TREES. 

Straight, not very numerous, and the foliage is most abundant near 
their extremities. 

The beauty of the tree can be greatly heightened by occasional 
cutting back. It is a tree to plant near the house, or a walk, 
where its singular and pretty leaves can be seen readily. The 
seed is a nut, which is boiled, and valued for eating. A rich sandy 
soil, with dry subsoil, suits it best. There are specimens in this 
country from seventy to eighty feet high. In Japan specimens 
have been seen grown to the height of eighty to one hundred feet, 
with trunks from six to twelve feet in diameter. One is mentioned 
by a traveller the trunk of which measured forty feet in circum- 
ference ! 

The Large-leaved Salisburia. S. adiantifolia macrophylla. 
— ^This is a new French variety, which has much larger leaves than 
the species, and divided in two, three, or five lobes, and these 
again with undulated edges. Probably well worth the price its 
novelty will command among tree enthusiasts. 

The Variegated Salisburia. S. a. variegata. — "This variety 
differs from the ordinary form by its leaves being variegated and 
striped with yellow." It is recommended on high English au- 
thority as a desirable variety. 



THE SCOTCH LARCH. Larix Eiiropcea. 

A tree which has been almost as much over-valued for orna- 
mental purposes within the past twenty years, as the Moms multi- 
caidis was for silk-growing fifteen years before. Downing's warm 
praise doubtless did much to create a demand for it j and the great 
facility with which it is grown in nurseries made it profitable for 
nurserymen to echo its praises. If Downing's careful qualification 
of its praise could always have accompanied his encomiums on its 
merits, and been intelligently appreciated, little harm would have 
been done. He says : " Like all highly expressive and characteris- 
tic trees, much more care is necessary in introducing the larch into 
artificial scenery judiciously, than round-headed trees. If planted 
in abundance it becomes monotonous from the similitude of its 



DECIDUOUS TBEES. 407 

form in different specimens ; it should therefore be introduced spar- 
ingly, and always for some special purpose. This purpose may be 
either to give spirit to a group of other trees, to strengthen the 
already picturesque character of a scene, or to give life and variety 
to one naturally tame and uninteresting." 

Fortunately we have many other trees — evergreens too — which 
are much better adapted to the uses suggested by Mr. Downing 
than the larch. The Norway spruce is equally picturesque, and at 
the same time a more beautiful tree. It carries all its foliage 
through the winter months, sustaining with its verdure great lami- 
nate masses df snow to contrast with the green of its drooping 
branches , while such meagre foliage as the larch carries through 
the summer months is lost even before it is touched by autumn 
frosts and wind, and in winter it stands among its family of pines 
the one naked branched tree which has been robbed of all its 
beauty. 

When the larch puts forth its leaves in the spring, the exquisite 
tender green of the foliage is very charming, at a time when the 
evergreens have scarcely burst their buds, and only the aspen, the 
white birch, the buckeyes and willows, have become beautiful with 
verdure ; but in another month the Norway spruce surpasses it in 
every element of beauty and picturesqueness. 

The European Weeping Larch, Z. e. pendula, is a very 
curious and valuable picturesque small tree. It requires to be 
grafted at from six to twelve feet from the ground, and when well 
established it is as odd and graceful in its way as anything we have 
seen. Sargent mentions that it is both difficult to propagate and 
to transplant. It is irregularly spreading or flat-headed, rather than 
conical like its prototype, and addicted to eccentricities of form. 

The Sikkim Larch, Z. Griffithiana^ is, we believe, a native of 
China, and is described by Dr. Hooker as " an inelegant, sprawling 
branched tree, with the branches standing out awkwardly, and often 
drooping suddenly." All of which goes to show that it is a tree of 
very odd habit If it is also well clothed with leaves, its deformi- 
ties of branching may be converted into picturesque beauty. In 



4€8 DECIDUOUS TREES. 

autumn its foliage is said to change to a bright red color. These 
qualities certainly excite curiosity to know more of this species. 

The American Larch Tamarac or Hacmatac, L. amerkana, 
grows in swamps in nearly all the northern States, where it is a tall, 
meagre-foliaged, conical tree. When planted in gardens it looks 
very much like the Scotch larch, but requires a damper and cooler 
soil 

THE CAT ALP A. Catalpa syringafolia. 

This is a native of our southern States ; a tree of extremely 
rapid growth when young, and noticeable for the great size of its 
heart-shaped leaves, and their soft yellowish-green color. It forms 
a spreading, flat-headed tree, of medium size. Fig. 128 is a por- 
trait of a noble specimen growing in the pleasure-ground of 
Alfred Cope, Esq., on Fisher's Lane, Germantown, Pa. It is fifty 
feet high, and seventy feet across the spread of its branches. , The 
catalpa usually grows more compactly than this specimen. Its blos- 
soms appear in June and July, and are borne in large loose pani- 
cles, projecting from the golden green of the young leaves, and by 
their size, abundance, and rich color, make a superb display. 
They are as beautiful when seen singly as they are showy in the 
mass, and also have an agreeable perfume. Color white, flecked 
inside with orange and purple. 

The young wood, which is of a yellowish color, is strong, 
smooth, cane-like, and stubby ; and the ramification of the branches 
is irregular, open, and spreading. Though planted largely in the 
northern States, and considered hardy, its beauty would be more 
uniform, and we should oftener see fine specimens, if, when first 
planted, it were regarded as half-hardy, and cared for accordingly. 
In the first place, it should never be planted in rich soil, because 
the growth which results is so rank that it is liable to be killed 
back the following winter. The next season it will send up still 
ranker suckers from the stump, which, in their effort to make up 
for lost time, are likely to grow late and be nipped again by the 
succeeding winter. The young trunk of the tree, by this repeated 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 
Fig. 128. 



409 




A CATALPA TKEK ON THE GROUNDS OF ALFRED COPE, ESQ, GERMANTOWN, PA. 

killing back, becomes crooked, the wood less healthy, and the roots 
are weakened for the want of a top proportioned to their develop- 
ment. A dry deeply-drained soil is necessary to start the tree 
healthily ; and we advise always mulching under young trees in the 
fall, and bandaging the trunks with straw, until the rank growth 
of their early years is over. When once the tree is well estab- 
lished it does not make the rampant growth that endangers its 
health and gives it so tropical an air in its nursery state ; and may 
then be considered hardy and the soil enriched to promote its 
growth. When healthily grown, and exposed to the sun on all 
sides, its large leaves, tropical growth, and the warm tone of its 
foliage, make it one of the finest of middle-sized lawn trees, and 
one that contrasts well with trees of smaller leaves and darker color. 



410 DECIDUOUS TREES. 

Some dwarf varieties of the catalpa have been found in Asia, 
which bid fair to be charming acquisitions to our stock of small 
trees or shrubs. The following are now growing in this country : 

Fig. 129. 




The Indian Catalpa. C. himalayensis (C, tcmbraciilifera ?). — - 
Fig. 129 represents a specimen of this species also growing in the 
grounds of Mr. Alfred Cope, Germantown, Pa. It is seven or 
eight feet high, and about ten feet broad. The crown is like a 
roof of leaves, laid with the precision of pointed slate, and the 
play of light on its golden-green head is beautiful. The leaves are 
about the size of those of the common catalpa. Though formal in 
its outline, it is at the same time of so unusual a form and style, 
that its novelty, or oddity, allies it to trees of picturesque expres- 
sion. Judging by this specimen, we would • suppose that this vari- 
ety will never be much more than a great shrub, perhaps from ten 
to twenty feet high. It seems to be hardy in the neighborhood of 
Philadelphia, and, with thorough protection, will probably succeed 
as far north as the southern shores of the great lakes. It is well 
adapted, wherever it proves hardy, to form natural arbors or gate- 
way arches. 

The Catalpa Kempferi is similar to the above, except that it 
has smaller leaves and growth in all respects, and the foliage a 
little darker. The flowers resemble those of our native catalpa. 
Mr. Meehan considers it one of the best of trees for the same pur- 
poses suggested in the closing paragraph of the preceding descrip- 
tion. Quite hardy near Philadelphia. 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 411 

The Catalpa Bangei is still more dwarfish, being a shrub 
three to five feet high. The flowers are in clusters a foot long. 
What has been said about protection for our native catalpa at the 
north, applies with still more force to these imported sorts. We 
believe that in a deep dry warm soil they will prove hardy in the 
northern States, if protected until their roots have had time to become 
established below the ordinary freezing of the earth. Yet we would 
not omit late autumn mulching and some covering for the tops 
until they are so large that it cannot conveniently be done. 



F:g. 130. 




THE SASSAFRAS. Laurus sassafras. 

This is the only quite hardy species of the beautiful laurel 
family, so highly prized for their abundant glossy foliage in the 
southern States, (there known as bay trees) ; and interesting as 
the only representative in the northern States of the noble laurel 
or bay, whose leaves have always been symbols of victory, and 
endless themes for poetical allusions. It is also allied by family 
ties to those two most aromatic trees, the camphor tree of Japan, 
and the cinnamon tree of Ceylon, both of which are species of lau- 
rel. Though the sassafras grows wild all over the country wherever 



412 



BECIDUOUS TREES. 



the soil is rich and warm, in our woods, and by road-sides, it is 
certainly the most neglected, considering the rare beauty of its 
foliage, of all our native trees. Its qualities are peculiarly those 
which adapt it to the embellishment of small pleasure-grounds. 
The most aromatic tree of the woods, it is also one of the most 
suggestive, by its umbelliferous form and sunny expression, of the 
warmth of those southern climates in which the other members of 
the laurel family flourish. Though it never becomes more than a 
middle-sized tree, the deep furrows of its warm brown bark, the 
angular ruggedness of its branches, and the flattened form and 
horizontal shadows of its head, give it an air of age and dignity 
unusual in trees of its size ; while the pure color, abundance, 
and fine-cut outline of its leaves, add a refined expression during 
its period of foliage. The young wood is smooth, and of a beau- 
tiful green color. The leaves come late, and drop with the first 
frosts, but their autumn colors are among the purest, and occa- 
sionally the most brilliant : oftenest a bright lemon yellow, but not 
seldom spangled with red, and some- 
times an entire mass of soft crimson. 
The leaves vary in form on the same 
tree, as will be seen by the engraving, 
Fig. 131, some being entire and pointed- 
elliptical in form, and others three and 
two-lobed. They are from four to six 
inches long, of smooth outline, soft tex- 
ture, and warm green color. The fo- 
liage breaks into softly-rounded hori- 
zontal layers, drooping on the exterior 
to catch and reflect the sun, so that 
they present to the eye broader and warmer masses of light than 
most trees of similar size. Grown thriftily, in open grounds, 
the sassafras is one of the most, if not the most, elegant small 
tree of the north. Fig. 130 gives a tolerable idea of the sassafras 
as a mature tree, but is less umbrella-formed than the usual type. 
Figs. 57 and 58, page 260, show some characteristic forms of the 
sassafras, grown in woods, and in open ground. But no engraving 
will do justice to the pleasing lights and soft outline of the tree, 




DECIDUOUS TBEES. 413 

which carries a sweet smile in the sun that must be observed to be 
appreciated. It is especially radiant when the setting sun gilds 
its top. All trees are in fact most beautiful in such a light, but 
the crown of the sassafras is pre-eminently so. 

The tree requires a deep, warm, rich soil, and will do itself no 
credit in any other. Woodsmen know that soil to be excellent where 
groves of sassafras abound. In the woods it sometimes reaches an 
altitude of fifty feet, but in open ground forty feet height and 
breadth, and two feet diameter of trunk, is about its greatest size. 
The annual growth after it reaches a height of ten feet is about 
one foot a year. Its earlier growth is rapid. Cattle and hogs are 
exceedingly fond of rubbing against the fragrant bark, and young 
trees must be protected from possible danger from this cause ' 
more carefully, and for a longer time than most trees. 

The Benzoin Laurel or Benjamin Tree. Laurus henzoin. 
— A deciduous shrub or tree, native of Virginia. Leaves from four 
to six inches long, like the unlobed leaves of the sassafras. It 
grows in an exposed location on the brow of a hill in the New 
York Central Park, and is there ten feet high, with abundant glossy 
foliage. It will become a tree from fifteen to twenty feet high. 
One of the finest large shrubs in the Park. 

Loudon says of it : " In British gardens it forms rather a 
tender peat-earth shrub, handsome from its large leaves, but seldom 
thriving, except where the soil is kept moist, and the situation 
sheltered." It may not be safe to recommend it for trial in the 
northern States to any but very careful cultivators, notwithstanding 
its success in the Central Park. 



THE PAULOWNIA. Pautownia imperialis. 

A Japanese tree introduced into France in 1837, and into this 
country about ten years later. The enormous size of its leaves, 
which sometimes measure nearly two feet in length and eighteen 
inches in diameter, and its rank growth, occasionally making canes 
from eight to twelve feet long in a single season, were qualities so 



414 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 

Fig. 132. 




Striking that the tree became famous and in great demand imme- 
diately after its introduction. A large proportion, however, of those 
which have been planted north of New York during the last twenty 
years are either dead, or annually shortened back by our severe 
winters, presenting the appearance of decrepit or damaged trees. A 
few good specimens have survived, proving the possibility of accli- 
mating the tree in the northern States. Fine specimens may be seen 
in the New York Central Park, where, with the excellent judgment 
characteristic of the management of that ground, these trees seem 
to have had no check in their healthy growth, and they stand in the 
most open and exposed localities. The early growth of the tree is 
very much like that of the catalpa and ailantus, and if planted in 
rich soils the leaves and canes are immense. All such growth 
should be carefully guarded against by planting the tree in a poor, 
well-drained soil. An excessively rank development during the 
first years after planting will generally prove the death-warrant of 
the tree in all the northern States, while if a moderate growth can 
be obtained, and the top and roots be protected for a number of 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 415 

years in winter, until the roots permeate largely below the reach of 
frost, there is little doubt that paulownias of noble size may be 
grown as far north as around the shores of Lake Erie. Yet we 
would not omit mulching at any age of the tree. 

The form of the paulownia is squarish-oblate. Fig. 132 repre- 
sents a specimen growing in Mount Moriah Cemetery, near Philadel- 
phia, and is a good illustration of the usual character of the tree. The 
sketch was made in September, at which time the upright spikes 
of seed-vessels on the tree were conspicuous and ornamental. The 
trunk of this specimen is sixteen inches in diameter, its height 
thirty feet, and the branches cover a space fifty feet in diameter. 
There is a much larger but less perfect specimen in the home- 
grounds of S. B. Parsons, Esq., at Flushing, L. I. ; and perhaps 
still finer ones elsewhere which we have not seen. The branches 
of the paulownia are few in number, long and strong, diverge right- 
angularly, are disposed to spread laterally, and invariably . turn 
upwards at their extremities. The bark is rather smooth on young 
trees, dark colored, and furrows with age. The leaves are pointed 
heart-shaped, a very dark green color, without gloss, and, on old 
trees, from ten to fifteen inches in length. They appear late in the 
spring, but retain themselves well upon the tree until hard frosts. 
The blossoms are formed in large upright panicles on the extremities 
of the shoots, are slightly fragrant, and appear early in May. They 
are trumpet-shaped, and of a purplish color. 



THE MULBERRY. Morus. 

The mulberry is one of those species of trees with rapid succu- 
lent growth, and large leaves, which are apt to become spasmodi- 
cally popular, from the readiness with which these qualities are 
appreciated ; and then to " fall from grace " with a reaction against 
them disproportioned to their faults. The speculative rage for the 
Morns multicaulis, a variety of the white mulberry, which became 
one of the wildest manias on record nearly forty years ago, is now 
almost forgotten ; and forms one of the curious facts in the history 
of speculations associated with the great South Sea scheme, the tulip 



416 DECIDUOUS TREES. 

mania, and numerous later instances to show the lengths to which 
enthusiasm may carry a whole community when united in pursuit 
of a supposed quick means of realizing large profits. The silk of 
all the world is made from the leaves of the mulberry. The Morics 
miilticauUs, it was claimed, was the best variety to feed to silk- 
worms. It was zealously inculcated that silk-worms, and silk, 
could be produced with great profit in this country. As food for 
the worm must be grown before the silk could be made, it followed 
that those who would profit by the production of silk at home must 
hasten to provide themselves with plants of the Morus multicaulis ! 
The result was one of the most amusing and profitless speculations 
of this century. It is hoped, however, now that the national enter- 
prise has stretched an iron band across the continent, and put us 
into close connection with Japan and China, that we will profit by 
the more patient skill, and the long experience of their people, and 
induce them to develop on our soil this profitable branch of in- 
dustry, unrepelled by social or race prejudices, or the spirit of caste 
which is apt to be arrayed against them. 

One characteristic of the mulberry tree is a profusion of foliage, 
which, being borne on broad low-branching trees, makes a deep 
shade. It bears a swSet berry-like fruit from three-fourths of an 
inch to an inch and a half in length, and of the diameter of the 
common long blackberry, which it resembles in appearance. The 
fruit of some varieties is delicious. When ripe it is apt to strew 
the ground below the tree, and form a great attraction for bees and 
flies. This fact, together with another, that the leaves are favorite 
food for other worms besides the exotic silkworm, has prevented 
the best species of mulberry from attaining that popularity for or- 
namental planting, which their quick growth, domestic character, 
deep verdure, and dense shade would naturally give them. They 
are truly fruit-trees, and very beautiful ones. It is surprising how 
rarely their fruit is offered in our markets, some of the sorts being 
superior in flavor to the blackberry, and ripening with it, and 
during a period of a month or more after blackberries are gone. 
The tree is long-lived, and we have no doubt will yet make pro- 
fitable orchards in some parts of the country. Poultry are par- 
ticularly fond of the berries, and in the back court-yards of old 



DECIDUOUS TRUES. 



417 



French chateaux the black mulberry was always planted for their 
benefit. The leaves are particularly agreeable to cattle, as well as 
to silkworms. 

The species of mulberry are not numerous, but the varieties 
are almost innumerable, though their differences are of little conse- 
quence in decorative planting. 




The American Red Mul- Fig. 133. 

BERRY Tree, Morns rubra, is 
sometimes called the Pennsyl- 
vania mulberry. This is quite 
the largest and finest ornamen- 
tal tree of the genus. In the 
forest it sometimes grows to 
seventy feet in height, but in 
open ground assumes a low- 
spreading form of umbellifer- 
ous character, as indicated by 
Fig. 133, which is a portrait of a good specimen at twenty-five or 
thirty years of age. The leaves are quite large, 
nearly equal to those of the catalpa, generally 
heart-shaped, but often with two or three lobes, 
as shown by Fig. 134, of a dark-green color, 
thick texture, and rough surface. The fruit is 
deep red, oblong, and of good flavor. The trunk of the tree has 
deeply-furrowed bark, with a tinge of green in its color, and the 
main branches have a rugged ramification like those of the oak. 
The leaves make their appearance late in the spring, but, like those 
of the horse-chestnut, develop with great luxuriance as soon as 
they burst the bud, and then remain on the tree till killed by hard 
frosts. They are not considered of any value for the silkworm. 

As an ornamental tree this mulberry is one of the most do- 
mestic in expression, luxuriant in foliage, and noble in the distri- 
bution of its lights and shadows among our medium-sized trees. 
That it is a fruit-bearing tree is something against its tidiness, but 
its fruit will assuredly pay for the extra care required to keep the 
ground or lawn under it in cleanly condition. It does best in a 
27 




418 DECIDUOUS TREES. 

Strong soil, and somewhat sheltered location, though it may be 
considered hardy in most parts of the northern States. Though 
not truly within the scope of this work, we feel it a duty to call 
attention to a fact which is not well known in many parts of the 
country, viz : that the wood of this species is almost as durable as 
that of. the black or yellow locust. Its growth is rapid. 

The White Mulberry. Morus alba. — The varieties of this 
species are very numerous, and their leaves form the staple food 
for the silkworm, the Morns multicaiilis being one of them. Their 
fruit is red and black, as well as white, although the species is 
characterized as white-fruited. The leaves resemble those of the 
red mulberry in form (see Fig. 134), but are smaller, more pointed, 
and less often lobed, though very variable in this respect, lighter- 
colored, and more glossy. The tree is of a more shrubby char- 
acter, of slenderer though rapid growth, and should be allowed to 
branch low ; otherwise its tendency to suckers will be increased. 
Loudon mentions that it is not able to endure great extremes of 
heat or cold. There are specimens of the white mulberry in the 
New York Central Park, with luxuriant and glossy leaves, among 
the most beautiful to be seen there. 

The Morns multicaulis has larger and thinner leaves than the 
parent species, and black fruit. It is also more tender, and forms 
rather a luxuriant bush than a tree. 

The Dandelo Mulberry, M. inorettiana, is another variety, 
the leaves of which are held in great esteem in France as food for 
silkworms, and the silk made from it is said to exceed any other 
in fineness and glossiness. The leaf itself is very beautiful, being 
thin, large, perfectly flat, deep green, and glossy on both surfaces. 
Less hardy than the preceding. 

There are scores of other varieties, but none that are at the 
same time hardy and peculiar enough to be interesting. All the 
white mulberry trees do best in a dry, sandy, or gravelly soil, and 
a protected situation, and grow occasionally to considerable size ; 
from thirty to forty-five feet in height and about equal breadth. 

Downing's Ever-bearing Mulberry should, perhaps, be 
classed as a variety of the M. alba. It is a fine rapid-growing tree. 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 419 

and bears delicious fruit from the middle of July till autumn. It is 
not perfectly hardy in a colder climate than that of New York City, 
though planted with more or less success all over the northern 
States. It becomes a beautiful tree where not killed back in winter. 

The Black Mulberry. Morus nigra. — This is supposed to 
be a native of Asia, but has been so long known in Europe as to 
be thought by some indigenous there. It is a low rugged-branched 
tree, with yellowish-brown bark, broad heart shaped leaves, une- 
qually serrated, and very rough. The fruit is large, dark purple, and 
excellent. The tree is a slow grower, and forms a broad low head. 
PHny makes the following curious allusion to this tree : " Of all the 
cultivated trees, the mulberry is the last that buds, which it never 
does till the cold weather is past; and it is therefore called the 
wisest of trees. But, when it begins to put forth buds, it despatches 
the business in one night, and that with so much force that their 
breaking forth may be evidently heard." Loudon says that in 
England the fruit is generally eaten at the dessert ; and it is con- 
sidered of a cooling aperient nature ; that it forms an agreeable 
sweetmeat, and that, mixed with fresh cider, it makes a strong and 
agreeable wine. Where fine fruit is an object, it derives the same 
benefit from culture and manuring as the apple. It is a tree of 
great durability, but the slowest grower of the mulberries. In 
time, however, it attains a great breadth ; the finest specimens in 
England being from thirty to forty feet high, with tops varying from 
forty to seventy feet in breadth. 

The Paper Mulberry. Broussonetia. — A rapid-growing small 
tree from China and Japan, which was formerly much planted in 
the middle States for avenues ; but its popularity seems to have 
waned with its novelty. It is certainly an interesting small tree. 
Few trees develop their beauties more quickly, yet it 
is not quite hardy, and is addicted to throwing up ^'°' ^35- 
suckers. Though not a true mulberry, it is always 
associated with them from its great resemblance to 
the Morus family. The leaves assume a great va- 
riety of forms, being heart-shaped, two-lobed, and 




420 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 



three-lobed, all on the same stem, as shown by Fig. 135. They 
are smaller than those of the true mulberry, of a bluish-green color, 
and somewhat downy or hoary on the surface. The tree quickly 
forms a neat umbrella-shaped top, from twelve to twenty feet high, 
and grows in the neighborhood of Philadelphia to the height of 
forty to fifty feet. From the rapidity of its growth it is adapted to 
make verdant masses for screens, and has been used with good 
effect for this purpose in the New York Central Park, where it 
seems to be hardy. 



Fig. 136. 




AN OSAGE ORANGE IN THE OLD 



THE OSAGE ORANGE. Madura. 



This tree, much used of late years for farm and garden hedges, 
when grown singly, is one of the most remarkable of small trees. 
Its glossy orange-like foliage is so brilliant, and its erratic luxuri- 
ance of growth so extraordinary, that it is difficult to realize that 
plants of the same tree can be confined within the formal limits of 
a narrow hedge. 

The Osage orange is a native of Missouri and Arkansas, and it 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 431 

is fair to infer that the latitude of those States furnish a climate the 
most congenial to it. It there becomes a tree from thirty to sixty 
feet in height and of equal breadth. Hedges formed with it have 
proved hardy as far north as Albany — perhaps further north. It 
may prove less hardy as a tree than in clipped hedges, but on the 
banks of the Hudson, near Albany, it is little injured by the winters, 
and does equally well on the south shores of the great lakes. 

The growth of an Osage orange tree, in a deep rich soil, is 
quite peculiar. It first sends out a multitude of shoots vertically, 
horizontally, and at all angles and curves between. Its inherent 
vitality is so great that it seems scarcely to have room enough upon 
each preceding year's growth to push out the new growth that 
struggles to expand its foliage. As the plant attains the dignity of 
a tree-form, or at least of a distinct trunk, its different parts seem 
to have various impulses ; one branch having shoots nearly all tend- 
ing upwards, another with shoots crossing each other, with a variety 
of curves reminding one of the intersections of fireworks projectiles, 
and another with its rank growths all tending downward as humbly 
as those of the Scamston elm. 

Fig. 136 is a portrait of a magnificent specimen crowded in 
an obscure corner of the old Bartram garden on the Schuylkill 
River, south of Philadelphia. It is about thirty feet high, and from 
fifty to sixty feet across the spread of its branches, with a trunk 
twenty inches in diameter one foot from the ground. H. W. Sar- 
gent, Esq., mentions a tree growing in the grounds of Dr. Edmond- 
ston, near Baltimore, which, when twenty-four years old, measured 
one hundred and sixty-five feet in circumference — " the limbs lying 
about with a profusion of growth positively wonderful, and covered 
with fruit." 

The leaves are single, alternate, in form something like those 
of the lilac, but considerably more pointed and more glossy. 
They are tardy in the spring, but remain late on the trees in au- 
tumn. The flowers are inconspicuous. The fruit is about the size 
and color of a large ripe orange, perhaps less bright, very showy on 
the tree, but of no use for eating. Ripe in October. 

As the male and female blossoms are borne on different trees, 
no fruit will be produced except on the trees with pistillate bios- 



422 DECIDUOUS TREES. 

soms in the neighborhood of staminate trees. But the beauty of 
the tree itself is sufficient, though it have neither flowers nor fruit. 
The short strong thorns which make a part of its value as a hedge 
plant, are not liable to drop off like those of the honey locust, 
until they are blunted by age, and then, from their small size, drop 
into the, lawn where they are harmless. 

It is recommended, when the tree is young, to cut back its 
leading shoots one-third or one-half for several years, to prevent 
the head from sprawling to one side or the other before the roots 
and trunk have sufficient strength to maintain a vertical position. 

In a deep, good soil, the Osage orange will become a spreading 
tree about twenty-five feet high, and thirty feet broad, in ten years 
after planting. 

Nurserymen dislike to grow the Osage orange except for hedge 
plants, because, after the plants have made one year's growth, their 
vigor is so rampant that they become unmanageable in nurser}' 
rows. Purchasers must therefore buy hedge-plants to set out for 
trees ; and their growth will be all the better for the necessity of 
choosing small plants. 

The Japan Osage Orange. Madura triaispidata. — A new 
orange of the Madura family has recently been introduced from 
France, which is described as a shrubby bush, very branchy and 
thorny, with shining, leathery, three-lobed leaves. 



THE KOLREUTERIA. Kolreuteria panicidata. 

This is a hardy tree, native of the north of China, introduced 
into England in 1763, long cultivated in the United States, and 
yet but little known. It forms a low, umbelliferous head. The 
leaves are pinnate, composed of from five to eleven leaflets of small 
size and oak-like shape. The foliage grows mostly on the outer 
ends of the branches, so that the tree when full grown is quite bare 
of leaves on the inside, but a thick mass of feathery and very warm- 
toned foliage on the crown. The flowers are yellow, very showy 
being borne in long terminal panicles in July. The leaves turn to 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 423 

a deep yellow before they fall. The seed is contained in greenish 
white capsules, and quite showy by its abundance. At Germantown, 
near Philadelphia, are specimens twenty-five feet high and forty 
feet diameter of head, which have been planted thirty years. 

We know of no tree which, without being variegated, has such 
decidedly yellowish-green foliage; and this quality, together with 
the airy delicacy of its leafy outline, its brilliant flowers, and autumn 
color, combine to make it one of the most desirable trees for even a 
small collection ; and especially beautiful where its low golden top 
can be seen projecting from a mass of dark-foliaged trees. It be- 
comes quite hardy, though the tops of its branches may be killed 
back in winter in our northern States when first planted. With 
protection a few years after planting it will establish itself beyond" 
the need of more. When young its growth does not indicate the 
form it finally assumes, and is not so pleasing as at matunty. 



THE NETTLE TREE. Celfis. 

" Handsome, much branched, deciduous trees, natives of Europe 
and North America, varying in size and foliage, but all bearing 
fruit which is edible, and though small, is remarkably sweet, and 
said to be very wholesome. Some of the species are very orna- 
mental, particularly C. crassifolia, the branches of which assume the 
character of a fan ; and C. occidentalis, the branches of which droop 
like a parasol. The leaves of almost all the species drop off almost 
simultaneously, and thus occasion very little trouble to the gardener 
in sweeping them up." They are also remarkably free from the 
attacks of insects. 

The Western Nettle Tree, C. occidentalis, is known in some 
sections as the sugar-berry, and is indigenous from Canada to North 
Carolina. The branches are numerous and slender, radiating at 
no great distance from the ground in a horizontal direction, and 
incline downwards at their extremities. Leaves about the size and 
form of those of the apple tree, but more pointed and lighter 
colored; being a bright shining green. They hang late on the 



424 DECIDUOUS TREES. 

tree, turning to a bright yellow, and then drop simultaneously. 
Fruit small, oval, purplish, ripe in October. Height in the woods 
thirty to fifty feet, in open ground about the size of the apple 
tree. 

The Thick-leaved Celtis or Hackberry, C. crassifolia. — 
Michaux mentions this as "one of the .finest trees which compose 
the dusky forests of the Ohio," where it sometimes attains the 
height of eighty feet, with a very small trunk in proportion to its 
height. Bark reddish-brown. Young branches downy. It is not 
frequently found in either the northern or southern States, but 
principally on the valleys of rivers in the middle States. The 
leaves are six inches long, three or four inches broad, oval-acumi- 
nate, serrated thick, and rough. Flowers small, white, in May. 
Fruit the size of a large cherry-stone, purple or black, ripe in Octo- 
ber. There is a specimen of this species near the West-town board- 
ing school, Westchester, Pa., with almost the size and grandeur 
of a full grown spreading white oak. 



THE PERSIMMON. Dyospyrus virgmiaJia. 

The persimmon, or Virginia date plum, is a medium-sized, 
open-headed tree, with foliage of unusual beauty. The leaves are 
single, alternate, from four to six inches long, smooth-edged, pol- 
ished as those of the orange, and much larger. The fruit is the 
size of a crab-apple, red, and noted for its bitterness when imma- 
ture. The tree is rarely found north of the latitude of New York, 
and cannot be considered quite hardy north of Philadelphia. 
The greatest beauty of its foliage develops still farther south. 

The European Date Plum, Dyospyrus lotus, is a beautiful 
tree common in the south of Europe, but quite tender. 



THE ALDER. Ahius. 

Most of the species grow in wet places. Downing does not con- 
sider our native alders worthy of much attention. Sargent, how- 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 



425 



ever, says of the common swamp alder, Alniis glauca : " We hardly 
know a more charming plant in winter, when covered with its 
bright scarlet berries, especially when placed against hemlocks or 
other evergreens." Loudon says of it : "This is one of the most 
beautiful trees of the genus." From these differences of opinion, 
among persons of such eminent taste, may we not infer that, though 
beautiful, as Mr. Sargent claims, in winter, its beauty at other . sea- 
sons is not sufficient to give it marked value compared with other 
trees of similar size and better qualities ? We have seen them 
principally as bushes growing in swampy places by the road-side, 
where they form dense globular shrubs, with glossy foliage, some- i 
what sombre. Most of the alders are addicted to damp ground. 
The foreign species are held in higher esteem than our own. 
The following are the most esteemed varieties : 



Fig 




The Common English Alder, A. 
glutinoso, has many varieties. 

The Cut-leaved Alder, A. laciniata, 
is one of the finest. Fig. 137 is a por- 
trait of a fine English specimen. It be- 
comes a spreading pyramidal tree from 
fifty to sixty feet high. The foliage is 
fern -like. 

The Imperial Cut-leaved Alder, 
A. laciniata, is another variety, said to be 
of still more vigorous habit. 

The Golden Alder, A. ghitinoso 
aurea, is a sport of the common alder, of brilliant and singular 
foliage, and highly recommended in England and France. 

The Heart-leaved Alder-, A. cordifolia, Sargent alludes to 
as "a large tree, native of Calabria, with large, deep-green, shining 
leaves, rather broad, heart-shaped," which grows rapidly, and 
which he has found hardy at Fishkill, on the Hudson. Loudon 
says of it: "A large, handsome, round-headed tree. Height from 
fifteen to twenty feet. It grows with rapidity in a dry soil, and is 
one of the most interesting ornamental trees that have of late years 
been introduced." By large Loudon evidently means large among 




Fig. 138 



436 DECIDUOUS TREES. 

alders, as the dimensions given rank it with the smallest class of 
trees. 

Gilpin, whose works on landscape gardening are of high au- 
thority in England, considers the alder among the most pictur- 
esque of aquatic trees ; while Loudon, in general remarks on this 
family, says : " As an ornamental tree,, much cannot be said in 
favor of the alder." 



THE APPLE TREE. Fyrus malus. 



For its beauty alone we here treat of the 
apple tree — one of those admirable families of 
trees whose members are not less beautiful 
because they feed our stomachs as well as please 
the eye. We are apt to forget how often Nature bounteously 
covers with beauty the productions which minister most to our 
necessities. The bread-fruit, the palm, the banana, and the cocoa 
of the tropics, all bear witness to the unity of the greatest beauty 
and the greatest utility ; while the nut-trees, and the fruit-trees of 
the north, with their fine foliage, fragrant blossoms, and savory 
fruit, teach the same lesson in our temperate zone. We have seen 
the Magnolia soidangeana, with its immense blossoms, and the 
finest horse-chestnuts, like bountiful mountains of bouquets, bloom- 
ing at the same time, and near old apple trees ; and gazing on all 
their florescent splendor, have doubted which, if all of them were 
equally novelties, would be awarded the palm for the greatest beauty 
of bloom. The flowers of the magnolia and the horse-chestnut 
are more showy ; but how inferior in delicacy and fragrance ! Each 
twig of the apple tree, with its clusters of buds and blossoms, 
bedded in nests of bright opening leaves, is, in itself, an exquisite 
wild bouquet. 

The apple tree comes early into leaf, and its foliage is dark, 
glossy, and abundant. Its low, spreading form has a home expres- 
sion ; and, for a tree of no great size, there is something grand in 
the wide extension of the branches of old trees, casting shadows 
sometimes from forty to sixty feet in diameter ; and we have seen 




DECIDUOUS TREES. 437 

sound trunks three feet in diameter. Fig. 139 is a portrait of a 

remarkable- apple tree growing in a 

low pasture-field on the flats of ' ^ 

Mamaroneck, N. Y., but little above 

the level of high tide. Its top is 

sixty feet .in diameter, and thirty feet 

high. The vignettes of Chapters VIII 

and XVI, and the cut at the end of 

Chapter II, illustrate some of the home-pictures to which apple 

trees contribute a principal charm. 

In its early growth the apple tree has only the beauty of thrift 
and blossoms. It is then too round and even, in the ramification 
of its branches, to have much play of light and shade in the breaks 
of its foliage. Only the old trees develop noble horizontal branches 
and massive shadows ; and it is for such that we ask the most lov- 
ing protection. From the time the tree is out of bloom till the 
fruit begins to color, it is certainly inferior to some of the maples, the 
horse-chestnut, the hickories, and many other trees, in wealth of 
verdure, variety of outline, and contrast of light and shade. But 
then what a crown it bears a few months later, of golden or ruddy 
fruit, beautiful as blossoms ! The apple tree need never be dis- 
carded from the decorated grounds of any one who will keep his 
lawn closely shaven, and clean of falling fruit. Without such care 
the wind-falls and worm -falls of fruit will soon breed corruption in 
the grass, and new crops of insects to attack the fruit the following 
season. The beauty and usefulness of a thrifty old tree is well 
worth this care. 

Notwithstanding we place so high a value on old apple trees for 
home-grounds, we would not, on quite small grounds, plant them 
for ornament ; since it is only after the tree has been growing from 
twenty to forty years that it assumes its most pleasing expression. 
Other trees will develop beauty much more rapidly. For fruit, ex- 
cept on large lots, the cherry, the pear, the grape, and the different 
berry shrubs yield far more value, in proportion to the room they 
occupy. Apples are always cheaper to buy than the smaller fruits, 
and the trees take up so much room, that we would only plant 
them on lots where the ground devoted to orchard is a half acre or 



428 DECIDUOUS TREES. 

more. But where full grown trees are already on the ground they 
should be treated like " company," whether they stand in the front, 
flank, or rear, of the house, or the house-site. 

Most of the apples noted for their excellence are borne on trees 
that are handsome to the eye, so that in naming a small list for 
places where there is room for them, the character of the fruit, and 
its successive maturity, is alone considered. The following is a list 
of twelve summer and autumn sorts. Yellow Harvest, Sweet Bough, 
Early Joe, Red Astrachan (for its beauty and for cooking), Graven- 
stein, American Summer Pearmain, Summer Queen, Autumn 
Bough, Porter, Jersey Sweeting, Maiden's Blush, Fall Pippin. 

Those who have space to plant orchards for winter apples, will 
find works on orchard fruits, adapted to their wants. 

The Crab-apple. Pyrus malus acerba. — All the crab-apples 
are noted for the beauty and the exquisite fragrance of their blos- 
soms, which exceed in size those of the 
Fig. 140. common apple tree. Their forms are 

similar, but smaller and lower, being 
from twelve to sixteen feet in height, 
and somewhat greater breadth at ma- 
turity. The young wood of the wild 
European and American varieties is 
thorny, crooked, and hard, so that the 
tree can be used for hedges. Growing 
in a rich soil, and preserved from the attacks of the borer, the crab- 
apple tree becomes a massy-foliaged low tree, whose lower boughs 
nearly rest on the ground at their extremities. 

The American or Sweet-scented Crab, P. m. coronaria, is a 
finer variety than the wildings of Europe, having more fragrant 
blossoms, which cover the tree in May. The foliage is said also to 
remain on the tree longer. The fruit is round, about an inch in 
diameter, a pure green color, and of a pungent acidity that has 
made the phrase " as sour as a crab " a by-word in the language. 
The leaves when touched by the frost have an odor of violets. Its 
bark is rough and scaly. 




DECIDUOUS TREES. 429 

The Siberian Crab, P. m. prunifolia, has smoother, lighter- 
colored twigs and bark than our wilding, a more graceful growth, 
and less abundant and less fragrant bloom j but its clusters of 
small yellow fruit add greatly to the beauty of the tree in Septem- 
ber. There is a variety with pink-colored fruit. 

The Chinese Double-flowering Crab, P. spectabilis, is the 
finest of all the crab-trees for ornamental planting. Its blossoms 
are semi=double, very large, nearly two inches in diameter, of a 
rose-color when expanded, but a beautiful deep red in the bud. 
The fruit is yellow, when ripe, and the size of a cherry. The tree 
attains a larger size than most of the crab-apple trees. It is an 
upright grower, when young, but with age its branches spread and 
bend until it becomes a graceful drooping-boughed tree. Height 
and breadth of top from twenty to thirty feet. 



THE PEAR TREE. Pyrus. 

"Ye have no history. I ask in vain 
Who planted on the slope this lofty group 
Of ancient pear trees, that with springtime burst 
Into such breadth of bloom. One bears a scar 
Where the quick lightning scored its trunk, yet still 
It feels the breath of spring, and every May 
Is white with blossoms. Who it was that laid 
Their infant roots in earth, and tenderly 
Cherished the delicate sprays, I ask in vain, 
Yet bless the unknown hand to which I owe 
This annual festival of bees, these songs 
Of birds within their leafy screens, these shouts 
Of joy from children gathering up the fruit 
Shaken in August from the willing boughs." 

Bryastt, 

The pear is so elegant a tree, that, even if it bore no fruit, it 
would rank high for decorative planting. The lovely green of its 
bursting leaves, which are among the earliest to expand, must be 
familiar to all who have ever observed trees ; while its floods of 
clustered white blossoms make it like a snowy pyramid. Later in 
the season its glossy foliage is surpassed by very few forest trees ; 



430 DECIDUOUS TREES. 

while its fruit is one of the most luscious of our zone. Most 
varieties of pears assume a distinctly pyramidal form, with an 
irregular and rather hedge-like ramification of branches and spurs 
as the trees grow old. Without its leaves it is a rough and rather 
unpleasing tree. In size it is of the second or third class, fre- 
quently attaining a height of forty to fifty feet, and a diameter of 
head of thirty feet. Its flowers are pure white, in clusters, fragrant, 
and cover the tree profusely in April or May. Unlike the peach 
tree, the pear tree if not grown too luxuriantly when quite young is 
a hardy and long-lived tree. If planters would wait till their trees 
are in full bearing before manuring or otherwise forcing a strong 
growth of wood, few pear trees would die young. Old trees gene- 
rally get too few, and young trees too many of such favors. It 
grows well in any soil which is warm and well drained, but needs 
to be grown in cultivated ground, otherwise the tree soon assumes 
a stunted and mossy appearance and the fruit will be quite inferior. 

For garden culture pears have been much grown on quince 
roots, which make dwarf trees. Some varieties bear more and 
better fruit when thus dwarfed. These dwarf pear trees are ex- 
ceedingly interesting in every stage of their growth, and both for 
their beauty and their quick fruiting, merit some of the popularity 
they have attained. Still, we would recommend planters not to 
rely on their dwarf, but rather on their standard trees for a per- 
manent supply of pears. The former should be regarded more as 
temporary investments, or perhaps as garden pets, the beauty of 
whose growth and early productiveness will serve to make us forget 
to be impatient of the later productiveness of the standards. But 
the latter are by far the most profitable in the end, and many of 
the very best varieties bear almost as quickly on their own roots as 
upon quince roots. 

The Louise Bonne de Jersey, Duchesse d'Angouleme, White Do- 
yenne or Virgalieu, Vicar of Wakefield, and Pound pear (for baking), 
are varieties desirable to grow on quince. The following is a good 
list of ten summer and autumn sorts on their own stocks for perma- 
nent trees, with the proportional number of each, recommended for 
a collection of twenty trees, viz. : one Madelaine, one Bloodgood, 
one Rostiezer, one Dearborn's seedling, four Bartletts, one Flemish 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 431 

beauty, one Beurre Bosc, four Seckels, one Virgalieu, one Sheldon, 
one Beurre Diel, one Dix, one Lawrence, and two Pound pears for 
cooking. For a collection of ten standards we would name one 
Madelaine, one Bloodgood, one Dearborn's seedling, four Bartletts? 
one Flemish beauty, two Seckels. The variety of fine autumn 
pears is however so large, that with the exception of the Bartletts 
and Seckels which are indispensable in the proportions named, 
numerous other varieties of equal value may be substituted. 



THE MOUNTAIN ASH.. Fyrus sorbus. 

The European Mountain Ash, F. auciiparia, and the 
American, P. americajia, are both among the most common of 
small ornamental trees, planted principally for the beauty in au- 
tumn of their large drooping clusters of bright red fruit, which 
remain a long time on the tree, and produce a brilliant effect. 
The foliage is composed of pinnate leaves, forming a delicate spray, 
but of dull color, and not disposed to form pleasing masses of 
light and shade. The tree is compactly ovate when young, but 
becomes round-headed with age. The European variety has the 
brighter-colored fruit, and is rather more desirable. They become 
trees from thirty to forty feet high, and nearly equal diameter. 
The following are interesting varieties : 

The Weeping Mountain Ash, F. pendula, is a variety of the 
P. aucuparia, of rapid growth, and decidedly pendulous or trailing 
habit. The flowers, leaves, and fruit, are like the preceding. It is 
apt to be bald on the crown, showing too plainly the bent frame- 
work of its branches ; but in other respects is a desirable lawn 
tree. It is grafted high on some of the upright varieties. 

The Oak-leaved Mountain Ash, P. pinnatifida, is quite 
distinct from the aucuparia in its general appearance, and in the 
character of its leaves, though it assumes nearly the same outline. 
The leaves are simple, instead of compound, and deeply-lobed ; a 
bright pure green on the upper surface, and quite downy beneath. 
At a little distance its solid mass of foliage gives the impression 
of a maple rather than a mountain ash. It is in full leaf as early 



432 DECIDUOUS TREES. 

as the horse-chestnut, and holds its leaves and color late. In 
bloom and fruit it closely resembles the preceding varieties of the 
mountain ash, but in the color of its foliage, and the breaks of 
light and shadow on its surface, it is a much finer tree. Height 
and breadth from twenty to thirty feet. There is a weeping variety 
of this species, which we have not seen, but which is reputed to be 
interesting ; also a large-leaved variety. 

The Dwarf-profuse-flowering Mountain Ash, F. nana 
floribunda, is a variety of the oak-leaved mountain ash, but the 
leaves have returned to the primal form of the species, being com- 
pound, quite delicate, and acacia-like. It is grafted on other 
stocks from four to six feet high. The blossoms, in small and 
abundant white clusters, appear in May. In blossom, foliage, and 
bright-red fruit, it is equally pretty. 

There are many other varieties named in nursery catalogues, 
but the above are the most noteworthy. 



Fig. 141. 




THE DOGWOOD. Cornus. 

The dogwood family are numerous, and vary widely from each 
other in their characteristics. They form low suckering shrubs and 
whip-plants on the borders of streams and in wet ground, and in 
other places low trees, most of which are indigenous from Canada 
to the Gulf of Mexico. The most common, and the most shoAvy 
in blossom, if not in leaf, is the following : 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 433 

The White-flowering Dogwood, Cornus florida. Fig. 141 
is a portrait of a remarkably fine specimen, on the grounds of 
E. B. Gardett, Esq., of Germantown, Pa. It is about sixteen feet 
in height, thirty feet across the longest spread of its branches, and 
ten inches in diameter of trunk. In the woods it often reaches the 
height of twenty to thirty feet, and is generally found wild on or 
near the banks of streams. It is remarkable for the size and 
showiness of its white blossoms, which make their appearance in 
April, before the leaves, and cover the tree like immense snow- 
flakes. They are from two to three inches in diameter. The 
leaves are in opposite pairs, and vary in color on different trees 
and localities from a light grayish-green to dark-green, those which 
are light-colored being rougher in surface ; glossiness being usually 
associated with the darker color. The prevailing tone, however, is 
a light green early in the season, becoming somewhat darker and 
more glossy at the close. The tree is too common to be fully ap- 
preciated. Those who have been familiar with it only in the woods, 
can form but a poor idea of its beauty when grown in rich deep 
soils and open exposures. In such places it assumes an umbrella 
form, and is not only superb in its April crown of white blossoms, 
and its massy head of summer leaves, but in autumn, its foliage 
turning to a deep red, makes the tree a brilliant companion of the 
varied-hued maples, the golden sassafras, the scarlet oak, and the 
glowing bronze of the liquidamber. Besides being of an umbrella 
form in outline, this dogwood is peculiar in the sharp stratification 
of the lights and shadows of its foliage. The fruit is scarlet, but 
quite small. 

We advise planters who intend to give this tree an open place 
on the lawn, to obtain their trees of small size from a good nursery 
instead of taking trees from the woods, as the latter rarely grow 
well, or become so well-formed trees. To develop the great beauty 
of the dogwood it is absolutely necessary that the soil be well 
drained, deep, cool, and rich. 

Nurserymen in obtaining seed of this variety to propagate, 
should endeavor to take it only from those trees which are observa- 
ble for the purity and abundance of their summer foliage, and its 
brilliancy in autumn. It is a tendency of most gay autumn-tinted 
28 



434 DECIDUOUS TREES. 

trees to lose their brightness under high culture and rapid growth, 
and it is therefore necessary to guard against this tendency by hor- 
ticultural discrimination. 

The Male Dogwood or Cornelian Cherry. Cornus mas. — 
This tree, though a native of Europe, closely resembles the Comus 
florida, except in its flowers and fruit, and that it forms a still 
smaller tree. The flowers are insignificant, and appear in March 
or April. The beautiful cornelian-colored fruit, the size of a small 
acorn, is one of the attractions of the tree. This is ripe from Sep- 
tember to November, and hangs long on the branches. The tree 
is long-lived and improves with age. 

The White-fruited or Red-twigged Dogwood, C. alba, of 
Loudon, C. stolonifera of Michaux and Central Park. Accustomed 
from childhood to see this dogwood in the copses of wet alluvial 
soils, and to associate its brilliant-colored sprouts principally with 
the whips used in school chastisements, it has surprised us to see 
how beautiful a shrub it makes in rich open ground. There are 
few more pleasing shrubs in the Central Park, where it forms 
broadly-spreading bushes from six to ten feet high. The leaves are 
of a glossy green, thin, four to six inches long, and superior in 
brightness of tone to any of the dogwoods. They turn to yellow 
and red in autumn. The flowers are white, small, in large clusters, 
and appear from May to July. The fruit is white, and ripe in Sep- 
tember. The young wood is of a brilliant light red, with a slight 
bloom upon it. This feature makes it a pretty winter shrub, where 
its viood can be seen against the snow. This is the shrub often 
sold at the nurseries as Cornus sanguinea — a very appropriate title, 
but one which had been given by botanists to a longer known Eu- 
ropean variety, on account of the deep red of its decaying leaves. 

The Silky Dogwood, Cornus sericea of Loudon, C. lanugi?ioso 
of Michaux. A spreading shrub of large size, resembling the Cor- 
nus florida in its foliage, but less tree-like in form. Flowers white, 
in June and July, Fruit bright blue, ripe in October. Leaves in 
autumn a rusty brown, sometimes crimson \ petioles a bright pink. 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 435 

Naked young wood brown and green. Size, ten to fifteen feet in 
height, and greater diameter. 

The Panicled-flowered Dogwood, C. paniculata, is a tree or 
shrub of more upright growth, with a profusion of white flowers in 
July and August, and purplish young wood. Height, fifteen to 
twenty feet. On account of its compactness it is considered one 
of the best for small grounds. 

The Round-leaved Dogwood. Cornus cercinata. — A species 
noted for its large circular wavy leaves, which are downy on the 
under side, and for its rough warted branches. Flowers small, 
white, in June and July. Fruit white when ripe, in October. 
Young wood slightly tinged with red. Height five to ten feet. 

The Variegated-leaved Dogwood, Cornus mascula variegata, 
is a pretty variation, with leaves striped or blotched with white, 
interesting to persons who fancy trees which sport in this manner, 
and considered one of the most desirable variegated-leaved shrubs 
in cultivation. 

The Siberian Golden Variegated-leaved Dogwood, C. 
aurea variegata, has a yellow stripe on its leaves, and bark striped 
with red and yellow. The latter is quite curious. 

All the foregoing varieties have their leaves in opposite pairs. 
The following has alternate leaves : 

The Alternate-leaved Dogwood. Cornus alternifolia. — We 
are not familiar with this variety in cultivation. Loudon thus 
speaks of it : " This species is easily known from every other, even 
at a distance, by the horizontal, umbelliferous character assumed by 
the branches, which are dichotomous, with clusters of leaves at the 
joints, and the general color is a lively green. The leaves are gen- 
erally alternate, but not unfrequently opposite. Flowers white, 
May to July. Fruit purple, ripe in October. Decaying leaves red- 
dish-yellow. Naked young wood greenish or reddish brown." It 
seems doubtful if Loudon were familiar with the horizontally um- 
belliferous character of our Cornus florida, or he would not have 
thought of making this trait a distinguishing one of the Cornus 
alternifolia ; it is a characteristic of all the arboreous dogwoods. 



436 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 



THE JUDAS, OR RED-BUD TREE. Cercis canadensis. 



A beautiful little tree, native of our 
forests in most parts of the country. 
When grown in open ground, its head 
-spreads broad and low in parasol form. 
It is covered the last of April, or early 
in May, before the leaves expand, with 
a profusion of very small pink blos- 
soms, that are showy by their abund- 
ance, and have given the tree the 
name of red-bud, by which, when 
growing wild, it is usually known. When grown 
with full exposure to the sun, in rich soil, the 
leaves are from five to seven inches in diameter, 
a perfect heart-shape, of a pure green color and 
glossy surface on the upper side, and grayish- 
green beneath, forming a mass of most cleanly 
and elegant foliage. The leaves are quite free 
from the attacks of insects. A cultivated tree 
in rich ground differs so much from the same 
sort growing in the woods, that it is scarcely recognizable as the 
same ; changing from a straggling small-leaved, thin-foliaged, 
scrawny little tree, to one of the most luxuriant of low-spreading 
trees. The engraving, Fig. 142, is a portrait characteristic of the 
appearance of the tree when young ; the specimen from which it 
was drawn having been planted but six years. As it increases in 
age the head becomes more oblate and distinctly parasol-like. The 
seeds of the tree are contained in bean-like pods from four to six 
inches long, which hang on the tree through the winter. Height, 
at maturity, from twelve to eighteen feet ; breadth of head twenty 
to thirty feet. 

The English Judas-tree, Cercis siliquastrum, is quite similar 
to the above, the leaves being a little smaller and the flowers 
darker. The latter " have an agreeable acid taste, and are mixed 
in salads, or fried in batter as fritters." 




DECIDUOUS TREES. 



437 



THE HALESIA, SNOWDROP, OR SILVER-BELL TREE. 

Halesia tetraptera. 




Low-spreading trees, blossoming Fig. 143. 

in April and May, with a profusion of 
pure white pendant flowers resembling 
those of the snowdrop. They are 
about five-eighths of an inch in length, 
and hang in clusters on the last year's 
wood. 

Fig. 143 gives a good idea of the 
form and style of a tree of this species 
fifteen or twenty years old, and of the 
forms of the leaves, flowers, and seed 
capsules. The latter are shown one- 
fifth the natural size, and the leaves 

one-twelfth. During the autumn, or last part of the summer, the 
head is covered with the four-winged seeds or capsules that distin- 
guish the tree at that season. The leaves are about the size of 
those of the syringa, of a fine healthy color, without gloss, and, 
when the tree is thrifty and mature, mass well. There is a fine old 
specimen in the New York Central Park, near one of the walks to 
the Ramble, that is about fifteen feet high and more than thirty 
feet across the spread of its branches, which rest upon the ground. 

There is a large specimen on the grounds of Miss Price, near 

Germantown, Pa., which, though badly shaded by other trees, has a 
trunk sixteen inches in diameter, top twenty-five feet high, and is 
fifty feet across the greatest extension of its branches ! There are 
higher trees of this species in England, but none on record of so 
great diameter. 

The Two-winged Fruited Halesia or Snowdrop, H. diptera, 
is a smaller tree, with larger leaves and flowers, and less hardy 
than the preceding ; otherwise closely resembles it. 




438 DECIDUOUS TREES. 



THORN TREES. CratcBgus. 

Mostly low, flat-headed trees. Though some of the prettiest 
varieties of the tree-thorns in the world are growing wild in all the 
States, they are so common, and their varieties so numerous, that 

they have been little valued and rarely 

Fig. 144- ^ . . , , 

grown m nurseries or pleasure grounds. 
The English hawthorn, of which so 
much has been said and sung, is infe- 
rior in foliage to some of our native va- 
rieties, and but little superior in flow- 
ers or fruit. The varieties of native 
thorn trees are almost as numerous 
as apples in a nursery catalogue, and our descriptions must be 
limited to a few species and varieties, at the risk of leaving un- 
noticed many of conspicuous beauty. Nearly all of them are 
observable for the sharpness of their thorns, their abundant clusters 
of blossoms in May, their dense growth and low-spreading forms. 
On most varieties the foliage masses in horizontal and rather thin 
stratifications, especially in the crus-galli members of the family. 
The fruit is generally red, varying from the size of a pea to that of 
a cherry. The larger sorts have a perfumed and quite agreeable 
flavor, and are known as thorn-apples. The abundance of the 
fruit gives a ruddy tone to the trees in August and September, and 
a few sorts are planted in England for the beauty of the fruit alone. 
All the species may be clipped into good hedges, but some va- 
rieties of the crus-galli are the best adapted for that purpose. 

The blossoms and fruit are borne in clusters, the former gene- 
rally white, and the latter red, though there are varieties with bright- 
colored blossoms, and yellow, green, and black fruit. The time 
of their flowering varies in the different sorts from March to July, 
but most varieties bloom about the last of May, and ripen their 
fruit in September. 

Whether we look at their blossoms, their glossy leaves, their 
dense low growth, the clearly marked lights and shadows of their 
foliage, their facility for trimming into hedges or other artificial 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 



439 



forms, or the number of differing varieties, we find them equally 
adapted to beautify small grounds. No one family of trees furnishes 
so many pretty specimen small trees for a lawn ; ranging in size 
from the smallest shrubs to middle-sized trees — some of them 
almost evergreen. All the species require a dry, rich soil; in 
which their annual growth for the first ten years will be from one 
to two feet a year. 



The Cockspur Thorn, C. crus-galli, Fig. 145, is the most 
interesting of indigenous species. All its 
varieties will assume a distinct tree-form, 
though some of them are but shrubs in size. 
The breadth of their heads is usually greater 
than their height, and their forms vary from 
globular to squarish-oblate. Their greatest 
height and breadth is about thirty feet, but 
usually not more than from twelve to twenty 
feet. This species is distinguished by thicker 
and glossier leaves, more entire in outline than 
the other sorts ; being more or less serrate, 
but not lobed. The thorns are single, long, 
and very sharp. At maturity the branches, 
which are numerous, have a horizontal 
direction, and the lights and shadows are 
in thin, sharply defined, and generally level lines like those of the 
beech tree. We have seen wild groves of these thorns, in western 
openings, which by the aid of sheep had become exquisite bits of 
park scenery. The sheep had fed on their sweet leaves as high 
as they could reach from beneath, so that the under sides of the 
trees were as level as the pasture below them. Above this level 
line the trees spread in stratified lines of foliage entirely in har- 
mony with the polished and artificial cut of their bases. Their 
broad heads, so close to the lawn, and yet with a clearly defined 
space above it, make shadows of great depth, which bring the 
lights around them into bright relief 

The most peculiar varieties are the C. c. splendens, noted for the 
abundance and brilliant glossiness of its leaves ; the plum-leaved 




440 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 



Fig. 146. 



thorn, C. c. pnmifoUa, for short broad leaves, 
fastigiate habit and showy red autumn foliage ; 
the C. c. pyracanthafolia and the C. c. salicifloia, 
or willow-leaved, are curiously low and broad 
little trees; and the C. c. nana is the smallest 
dwarf of all. Fig. 146 shows the form of the 
willow-leaved variety; which is one of the 
prettiest of all the thorn trees, and is espe- 
cially noted for the level spread of its top. 

147. 





THE TWIN HAWTHORNS. 



The Hawthorns. Cratce^us oxycanthal — We quote the fol- 
lowing from Loudon's Arboretum Britannicum : " The common 
hawthorn, in its wild state, is a shrub or small tree with a smooth 
bark, and very hard wood. The rate of growth when the plant is 
young, and in a good soil and climate, is from one foot to two 
or three feet a year for the first three or four years ; afterwards 
its growth is slower, till it has attained the height of twelve or 
fifteen feet, when its shoots are produced chiefly in a lateral 
direction, tending to increase the width of the head of the tree, 
rather than its height. In a wild state it is commonly found as 




DECIDUOUS TREES. 441 

a large dense bush ; but, pruned by accident or 

design to a single stem, it forms one of the most '°' ''^ • 

beautiful and durable trees of the third rank that 

can be planted — interesting and valuable for its 

sweet-scented flowers in May, and for its fruit in 

autumn, which supplies food for some of the smaller 

birds during part of the winter. In hedges the 

hawthorn does not flower and fruit abundantly when 

closely and frequently clipped ; but when the hedges 

are only cut at the sides, so as to be kept within bounds, and the 

summits are left untouched, they flower and fruit as freely as when 

trained as separate trees. The plant lives a century or two, and . 

there are examples of it between forty and fifty feet in height, 

with trunks three feet in diameter at one foot from the ground." 

It will not flourish in a wet, cold, or thin soil. 

The hawthorn may either be used as stocks for, or may be 
grafted upon, not only all the other thorns, but upon apple and 
pear trees. As an ornamental hedge-plant it is inferior in beauty 
in this country to the arbor-vitae and hemlock, except in its blos- 
soming time, and in strength to resist animals to the Osage orange. 

Sir Uvedale Price, one of the most distinguished of English 
writers on landscape gardening, especially recommends the haw- 
thorn to be used as a fiUing-in for a plantation of larger trees : " As 
trees are frequently planted thick at first, with the intention of 
thinning them afterwards ; and as this operation is almost always 
neglected, no more large trees ought to be pla7ited than are intended 
finally to remain ; and the interstices should be filled up with haw- 
thorns and other low shrubs and trees." The growth of the tree is 
more rambling than that of our best native thorns, and its outer 
branches, intercurving, and well covered either with flowers or 
leaves, often convey the impression of trees composed of garlands, 
blossoms, and leaves. The flowers are borne in greater profusion 
than on our American thorn-trees, and sport into a variety of colors. 
Fig. 147 is a portrait of a pair of hawthorns in the grounds of 
Ellwanger & Barry, at Rochester, which, in their blooming season, 
are remarkably pretty ; the one on the right being a mass of double 
white blossoms, and the one on the left nearly as crowded with 



4:42 DECIDUOUS TREES. 

pink blossoms, and their branches cross and interlace, so that the 
colors mingle in the centre. There can be no prettier deciduous 
gateway arch than may be made by planting a white-flowering 
hawthorn on one side, and some of the pink or scarlet varieties 
on the other, for the purpose of weaving their branches together 
overhead, and then clipping to perfect the arch, but not so closely 
on the outside as to mar the graceful freedom of outline that is one 
of the pleasing features of the hawthorn. Fig. 37, on page 108, 
illustrates the mode of treatment here suggested. 

The following are a few of the numerous varieties of the haw- 
thorn : 

The C. oxycantha pendula, a charming little pendulous branched 
tree. Flowers white. 

The C. 0. rosea has rose-colored flowers in great abundance. 
May. 

The C. 0. punicea has dark-red flowers in May, brilliant, like 
clusters of verbenas. 

The C. 0. punicea flore plena has double flowers, less brightly 
colored. 

The C. 0. multiplex has double white flowers, which die off a 
beautiful pink. They are borne in great profusion, and last a long 
time. It has an unusually dark glossy leaf, of 
the form shown in Fig. 149, and thrives in par- 
tial shade. One of the best. 

The C. 0. lucida is a variety distinguished by 
its vigorous habit and the unusual thickness and 
glossiness of its leaves. Flowers white. There 
are varieties with variegated leaves, but they are 
not of healthy growth, and therefore not worth planting. 

The C. 0. stricta is an upright-growing variety, almost as fas- 
tigiate as the Lombardy poplar, and forms a pretty contrast to 
some of the flat-headed cockspur thorns. All these varieties may 
be grafted on any of our wild thorns, and they sometimes succeed 
on mountain ash, pear, and quince stocks. 

The Scarlet-fruited Thorn. Cratcsgus coccinea. — Under 
this botanical head are grouped many of those varieties or species 




DECIDUOUS TREES. 



443 



Fig. 150. 




commonly known as wild-thorn apple trees. The leaves are irreg- 
ularly heart-shaped, more or less lobed, and acutely serrated. 
The flowers are white, except in a few 
varieties, the fruit is larger than that of 
the hawthorn or cockspur species, and 
the growth is more free and vigorous. 
The fruit has a most agreeable perfume 
and flavor, but differs in quality and size 
on different trees almost as much as cul- 
tivated apples ; and in autumn is orna- 
mental by reason of its bright red color. 
Though the trees have the same char- 
acteristic of low breadth as the other 
species, they have a less artificial or 
gardenesque kind of beauty than the 
cockspur thorns, and the foliage masses 
in larger divisions of light and shade. 
Fig. 144, page 438, shows a fine specimen of this family, drawn 
from nature on Mount Desert Island, Maine, which is about fifteen 
feet high and twenty-five feet in breadth. Fig. 150 represents 
another and larger form that some varieties assume at the west. 
There are hundreds of varieties of this species. The following are 
believed to be the most interesting : 

The Double-scarlet Thorn. C. coccinea flore plena. — This is 
a new variety, and said to excel all the others in beauty. Its flow- 
ers are unusually large, of a deep crimson color, with a scarlet 
shade, and very double. Foliage luxuriant and glossy. 

The Dotted-fruited Thorn, C. c. punctata aurea, has yellow 
fruit, and grows to greater size than many other varieties. 

The Tansv-leaved Thorn, C. tena- 
cetifolia celsiana. — A vigorous growing tree 
of fastigiate habit, and unusual size and 
beauty of foliage and fruit. Fig. 151 
shows the leaf. The fruit is yellow. 

The Fiery Thorn or Burning Bush. Cratcegus pyracantha. 
— An evergreen or sub-evergreen shrub, of dense growth, with very 



Fig. 151. 




444 DECIDUOUS TREES. 

small leaves, which turn brown but do not drop off in winter. 
Four to six feet in height. Flowers white, in May. Fruit red, 
hanging a long time on the tree, and by its brightness suggesting 
the name of fiery thorn. Parsons considers it the best of the thorns 
for low hedges. Its spines are very numerous and sharp. Hardy 
near New York. Height six to twelve feet. 

The Medlar. Mespiliis (crat<zgus). — This is a species nearly 
allied in all respects to the thorn family. The fruit is larger than 
that of our largest thorn apples, and pleasantly flavored when in a 
state of incipient decay. The Dutch medlar is the variety of 
largest fruit, and Smith's medlar, M. grandiflora, has the most 
showy flowers. The trees when old assume picturesque low 
forms, and are well covered with glossy foliage. Height fifteen to 
twenty feet. 

The Buckthorn. Rhamnus catharticus. — An upright shrubby 
tree, of European origin, which, a few years since, was greatly com- 
mended as a hedge plant. It has not proved of great value, being 
inferior both in beauty and density to our native cockspur thorns, 
and to the Osage orange. Its foliage is much like that of the com- 
mon privet — a dull dark green. It has no marked beauty of any 
kind. 

The Broad-leaved Buckthorn, R. latifolius^ is said to be very 
much finer than the foregoing. The shrub and its leaves being 
much larger and brighter colored. 



THE PEACH-TREE. Persica. 

The peach-tree runs through three stages of existence with re- 
markable rapidity. When from three to six years old, there are 
few more beautiful small trees. Its finely cut vivid green foliage 
and symmetrical form make it a beautiful small tree. But, after a 
few crops, the growth of the top becomes straggling, and at the end 
of six to ten years its dead twigs, broken limbs, and general " lop- 
sidedness," mark it a decrepit tree. This is the usual history of 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 445 

the tree in sandy soils. In stiff rich clays it grows slower and lasts 
longer. But it is a fruit tree which should be kept out of sight as 
much as possible from the ornamental part of one's grounds. 
Peach trees should be planted about twenty feet apart in orchards ; 
but in fruit gardens we recommend planting them in rows with 
standard pears (where the latter are not nearer to each other than 
twenty feet), and by keeping them well headed back, they may not 
be in the way of the pear trees for ten of twelve years, and then 
may be cut away to let the pear trees occupy the whole space. 

The greatest enemy of the peach-tree is a white grub, which 
infests the neck of the tree at its intersection with the ground, and 
sometimes the crotches higher up. No tree should be planted, 
which has had these pests in them. Their presence may be known 
by an exudation of gum. In trees already planted they can only 
be got out by carefully cleaning away the gum, and probing and 
cutting with a knife until the worms are all out. A small conical 
mound of unleached ashes should then be put around the trunk 
of each tree, first removing the earth near the trunk down to the 
divergence of the main roots. Examinations for these worms 
should be made every April and July, and a fresh cone of ashes 
should be made around the collar of the tree at these times. 

The peach tree is not entirely hardy, as its blossom-buds are 
frequently killed in winter by sudden changes and excessive cold, 
and the blossoms by frosts in the spring when they have expanded. 
A fruit so pre-eminently delicious, and easy to grow, will richly 
repay the care required to guard against these winter calamities. 
Experience has proved that banking with earth around the 
trunk, and mulching as far as the roots extend, aids the tree ma- 
terially to resist the damaging effects of sudden changes ; acting 
like a warm blanket on animals. An additional and efficient pro- 
tection for the blossom-buds and tender wood may be made by 
planting a strong red cedar-post, twelve feet long, four feet deep, in 
the spot where the tree is to be planted. In November, when the 
tree is old enough to bear fruit, the branches which are nearest to 
each other should be drawn together carefully, and bound with 
straw, like nurserymen's bundles. The several bundles of branches 
should then be brought as closely together as may be without 



446 DECIDUOUS TBJEES. 

breaking them, and all securely tied to the central post. Figs. 53, 
54, 55, on page 273, show the manner of protection suggested. 
Without some strong fixture to which to secure these bundles, the 
weight of ice and snow upon them in winter, and the action of the 
wind, would break the trees to pieces. A substitute for such a 
centre-post could be effected by driving three or four high strong 
stakes around the tree, and lashing the bundled branches by inter- 
secting cords from one stake to another, so that the winds could 
not break them. Planting a cedar-post with the tree is, however, 
the best and simplest way of providing for this mode of winter pro- 
tection. Trees that are loaded with vigorous blossom-buds when 
winter is entirely over, will very rarely have so many of the blos- 
soms killed by frosts during the blossoming as to materially injure 
the crop. 

The following ten varieties will afford a succession of the best 
fruit through the peach season : Haine's Early, large early York, 
George the IV., Crawford's early Melocoton, Morris White, Old- 
mixon freestone. Yellow rare-ripe, Nivette, Red-cheek Melocoton, 
Crawford's late Melocoton. 



THE APRICOT. Armeniaca vulgaris. 

" A native of Asiatic mountains in the temperate zone. In addi- 
tion to the value of its fruit, the apricot has the merit of being the 
earliest fruit-tree in flower. Its buds, before they expand, show a 
brilliant scarlet, and, when fully expanded early in April, are white, 
tinged with pink. The leaves resemble in form those of the apple 
tree, but are more wavy and glossy, and perhaps darker colored. 
The bark is also dark, like that of. the plum tree. The growth of 
the tree is rapid, and it assumes more quickly than other trees, in 
proportion to size, a broad massive appearance. This quality of its 
form gives it an expression similar to that of old apple trees at a 
much earlier age than the latter acquire the same expression. It 
is, therefore, one of the most ornamental of fruit trees, not only by 
its luxuriant growth, when first planted, in which respect the peach 
is quite its equal, but by the substantial strength and durability of 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 447 

its spreading branches, and the permanence of its form, in which 
the peach tree is sadly deficient. 

For fruit the varieties known as Dubois' Golden Peach, Moor- 
park, and Breda, are highly esteemed, and the latter is noted for the 
beauty of its leaves and growth. The apricot, having a smooth 
skin like the plum, is also subject to the attacks of the curculio, but 
not to sa great an extent; and the objections to having plum trees 
on a lawn, will apply with less force to the apricot, while its su- 
perior dignity of form as a low tree will entitle it to room that 
ought not to be given to the former. The common apricot grows 
to nearly the same dimensions as the apple tree. 

The Siberian Apricot, A. siberica, is a smaller variety than 
the above, bearing about the same relation to it that the crab does 
to the apple tree. Formerly much cultivated in England for its 
very early blossoms, but of less value in most respects than the 
cultivated sorts. 



THE PLUM TREE. Frunus. 

Although the fruit-bearing plum trees are occasionally very 
pretty, they have not such beauty as to recommend their culti- 
vation for ornament alone. And as the fruit is more uncertain in 
most parts of the country than that of other fruit trees, in conse- 
quence of the ravages of the insect curculio, which punctures the 
green fruit, causing it to drop prematurely, and thus not only de- 
stroys the crop, but covers the ground under the tree by the falling 
of the unripe and decaying fruit. Other fruit trees will yield a better 
return for the space they occupy and the attention they require. 

The Chinese Double-flowering Plum. Prunus sinensis. — 
A small shrub but recently introduced into this country, which has 
already become a great favorite, and will probably prove superior 
to the old flowering almond, blooming at the same time, in April 
and May. Flowers semi-double, red above, and white underneath, 
profusely covering the branches. 



448 DECIDUOUS TREES. 



THE AMERICAN HORNBEAM. Carpinus americana. 

A small tree with wiry branches and dark-colored bark, resem- 
bling the beech somewhat in its mode of growth, but thinner in 
foliage and more irregular in form. Height fifteen to twenty-five 
feet. It has been recommended to plant for screens, but we 
have perceived no peculiar beauty or advantage it has for that 
purpose ; but it occasionally develops into a pretty isolated tree, of 
airy outline. 

The English Hornbeam, C. betula, is a larger tree than ours, 
with the same general character. 

The Iron-wood or Hop Hornbeam, Ostrya virginica, is a 
small native tree, remarkable for the extreme hardness and weight 
of its wood, but of no peculiar beauty. It grows slowly, and forms 
a compact little tree, with small dark leaves. Its bark is known at 
a glance by the extreme fineness of its furrows. Height fifteen to 
twenty-five feet. 



THE LABURNUM. Cytissiis. 

In England and Scotland few small trees are more planted in 
ornamental grounds than the laburnum ; but our climate does not 
seem to suit them, so that although long cultivated in the older 
parts of the country, a fine specimen is rarely seen. 

The Common Laburnum or Golden Chain, C. laburnum, is 
a low tree or big bush from twenty to thirty feet high, of irregular 
outline. The flowers are in pendant racemes six inches long, of a 
bright yellow color, and appear in May. The leaves are alternate, 
and composed of three oval-acute leaflets two to three inches in 
length. Young wood green. Decaying leaves yellow. The seeds 
are contained in pendulous pods. 

The Weeping Laburnum, C. I. pendula. of this species, is not 
sufficiently hardy and vigorous to be desirable. 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 449 

The Scotch Laburnum, C. alpina, is considered a hardier and 
finer species than the preceding, but is closely allied to it in most 
respects. " The shape of the head is irregular and picturesque ; its 
foliage is of a smooth shining and beautiful green ; and it is not 
liable to be preyed on by insects. Though the laburnum will grow 
in a very indifferent soil, it requires a deep fertile sandy loam to 
attain a large size. As the tree puts out few horizontal roots, and 
has rather a spreading head, when it grows rapidly it is apt to be 
blown aside by high winds." — (Loudon.) The flowers of this spe- 
cies appear later than the preceding. 

The Weeping Scotch Laburnum, C. a. pendula, is highly val- 
ued for its beauty and gracefulness in England, but does not suc- 
ceed so well in this country, at least in the northern States. 

All the laburnums may be regarded as not quite hardy in the 
northern States, though rarely killed outright by the cold. 



THE AMELANCHIER. AmelancMer vulgaris. 

A low tree, with early and numerous small flowers, which cover 
it with white bloom about the middle of April. In very warm 
springs the blossoms appear the last of March, a month before the 
mass of the fruit trees are in bloom. The leaves resemble those of 
the pear tree, appear about the same time, and change to a bright 
yellow in autumn. The fruit is black, about the size of a currant, 
and of pleasant flavor. This variety is a native of Europe. 

The Canadian Amelanchier or Snowy Mespilus. A. botry- 
apium. — This American species is known in northern woods as the 
June berry and wild pear. It becomes a taller tree than the fore- 
going—from thirty to forty feet high in the woods — fastigiate, with 
long, slender, dark-colored shoots, and dark bark. In leaf and 
flower it strongly resembles the preceding. The fruit is a dark 
purple color, ripe the last of July, and very agreeable to the taste. 
We have not seen this tree of mature growth in open ground, and 
cannot therefore speak of its character as an ornamental tree when 
out of blossom. 
29 



450 DECIDUOUS TREES. 

The Flowery Amelanchier. A.florida. — An upright shrub 
or tree from ten to twenty feet in height. Flowers white, larger 
and later than the preceding. May. 



THE TAMARISK. Tamarix. 

These are straggling, upright, sub-evergreen shrubs, resembling 
asparagus plants in foliage, and grow in stools ; that is to say, tji^y 
send up many sprouts from the intersection of the trunk and rdbt. 

The French tamarisk, T. gallica, the German, T. germanica, and 
the African, T. africana, are all growing well in the New York 
Central Park, though killed back occasionally in part. Loudon 
speaks of them as well adapted to thrive under sea-breezes, and 
that they require to be planted in close proximity to water, and in 
a deep free soil. The exceeding delicacy of their foliage attracts 
attention among larger-leaved shrubs, but they are of too careless 
and unsymmetrical growth to be used except to break the monot- 
ony of commoner forms. The flowers are in large loose spikes, of 
a delicate pink color, and, though small separately, are showy ; and 
the bloom continues most of the season. Height and breadth ten 
to twenty feet. In the Central Park the French variety makes the 
best appearance. We have seen a few fine specimens growing in 
tree form in city yards, and their great singularity of foliage renders 
them very attractive when they can be grown in this way. 



THE WYCH HAZEL. Hamamelis. 

This tree is rarely seen in cultivated grounds. It has some- 
thing of the style of foliage of a beech, though the leaves are quite 
different in form, being obovate, larger, and broader, with wavy 
edges and darker color. The tree has the curious trait of blossom- 
ing profusely just before the falling of its leaves, and the flowers 
continue on the tree through the winter. They are of a rich yellow 
color, and very showy in the mass. We have not seen the Wych 
hazel developed in open ground, but from specimens growing by 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 451 

the road-side at Mount Desert Island, Maine, would suppose it to 
be a peculiarly umbrageous and elegant small tree. Height twenty 
to thirty feet. 



THE ANDROMEDA OR SORREL TREE. Andromeda 
arbor ea {Lyonia arbor ea of Loudon). 

This is one of the prettiest additions to our stock of small 
ornamental trees. Although a native of 
the States from Pennsylvania to Florida, it 
is scarcely yet known in most home- 
grounds. In the southern States it be- 
comes from forty to sixty feet high; in 
England ten to twenty feet; probably 
twenty to forty feet in the latitude of New 
York, It forms an umbrella-shaped top 
with tapering branches. Fig. 152 repre- 
sents its common form from six to eight 

years after planting. The leaves resemble those of the common 
elder in form, color, and abundance. The flowers are in large 
terminal panicles of many racemes, white, in June and July, and 
cover the head of the tree in plumy profusion. The panicles of 
seeds that succeed them also attract attention by the novelty of 
their appearance, and their great abundance. The foliage turns to 
a fine crimson in October. The name " sorrel tree " is given to it 
in consequence of the pleasant acidity of its leaves. Away from 
the mild climate of the seaboard, in the northern States, it should 
be treated as a half-hardy tree. 



THE SUMACH. Rhus. 

The species of this family vary so widely that some of them 
would not be supposed to have any relationship to the others if 
judged by their general appearance. The purple fringe tree, for 
instance, with its single clean-cut leaves, and rounded head, is the 





452 DECIDUOUS TREES. 

very opposite in most respects of the long compound serrate-leaved 
and scraggy little sumach of the fields ; and the vine well known as 
the poison ivy, Ehus toxicodendron, which wreaths walls and trunks 
of trees with its glossy foliage, differs as widely from both. The fol- 
lowing is by far the most valuable of the family for embellishment ; 
The Purple Fringe Tree or Venetian Sumach. Jihus 
cotimis. — This forms either a large shrub or small tree of finely 
rounded outline. The leaves are pretty 
to examine separately on account of their 
peculiar fineness of texture, their pure 
bright color, and their cleanly-cut oval 
form ; and they are borne in such healthy 
abundance on every part of the branches, 
and break into so finely rounded masses, 
that it is very elegant even without the 
peculiar flowering which gives its name. The flowers when they 
first appear in June, are a pale green color, with a delicate shade of 
purple, in large delicately divided panicles projected beyond the 
leaves, and borne so profusely that they seem like masses of down 
almost covering the shrub, and revealing in their openings the 
bright green foliage below. These blossoms become more purplish 
as they remain on the tree, and finally change to dry masses of 
delicate seed-vessels, which are partly overgrown by the summer 
growth of leaves. The latter hang on till heavy frosts, and occa- 
sionally turn to a fine reddish-yellow. Both as a bush and as a 
tree it is beautiful, curious, and desirable. There are specimens 
near Philadelphia with trunks eight inches in diameter three feet 
from the ground, and tops twenty feet high and broad. Fig. 153 
shows the common form, and appearance when in flower, of a 
tree or bush five or six years planted. It requires a dry warm 
soil. 

The Tree Sumach, Rhus typhma, a low, irregularly branched, 
flat-topped, spreading tree or shrub, with compound leaves from two 
to three feet long, composed of from eleven to nineteen leaflets. The 
leaves drop very early after changing to a warm yellow or purplish- 
red. This is occasionally a picturesque tree ; its peculiarly level 
head and warm-toned ailantus-like leaves showins: to best advan- 



DECIDUOUS TREES. 453 

tage when growing quite alone. The flowers appear in July and 
August in large spikes above the foilage, of a dark-purple color on 
male trees, and greenish-yellow and purple on the female, and 
are followed by purplish seeds ripe in October, The leaves 
fall early, and change to yellow, red, and purple before they fall. 
Height from ten to twenty feet, with nearly equal breadth of top. 

The Gum Copal Sumach, khus copallina. — This is the com- 
mon suckering species of the fields which grows to the height of 
three to seven feet, bearing beautiful pinnate leaves and compact 
spikes of flowers and seeds together, which are of a bright-red 
color, covered with a sticky light-purple bloom which has a most 
pungent and agreeable acidity. The leaves turn to a brilliant crim- 
son in autumn and fall early. Its suckering habit unfits it for 
pleasure grounds. 

There are many other species, but of no value for ornament. 

The Poison Ivy, Rhus toxicodendron, will be mentioned with 
vines. 



THE CHIONANTHUS. Chioncmthus. 

Also known by the names Snow-flower, and Virginia Fringe- 
tree. Fig. 154 illustrates the best form of the Chionanthiis virginica. 
It is one of the most elegant little trees, when in bloom in May and 
June, that can grace a lawn. The flowers, like 
snow-white filaments, hang in loose racemes ^^^' 2^'^' 

about four inches long all over the tree. Its 
glossy leaves resemble those of the magnolia 
family, or perhaps more the unlobed leaves of 
the sassafras, but thicker and larger. Height 
from ten to thirty feet, according to soil and 
climate. Loudon says it requires to be grown 
in a moist soil and sheltered situation. We 
have seen beautiful specimens in open ground 
in Hartford, Conn., and it does well at Flushing, L. I. j but is too 
tender for Rochester, N. Y. Wherever it can be made to endure 
the winter without injury, and can be shielded from winds, it will be 




454 DECIDUOUS TREES. 

found one of the choicest little trees to plant near dwellings. But 
as it belongs to a family of trees which are generally tender, it will 
be well to avoid planting it where its hardiness will be severely 
tested • and to maintain its beauty and health in the middle and 
northern States, it must certainly be well protected by mulching 
the ground thoroughly over the roots, binding its stem, and bun- 
dling its top with straw or evergreens every autumn. 

The varieties C. v. latifolia, C. v. angustifolia, and C. v. mari- 
tima, are little . known in northern nurseries or pleasure grounds. 
The latter forms a full-foliaged shrub seven to nine feet high in a 
protected situation in Parson's nursery at Flushing, L. I. Its leaves 
are from five to s6ven inches long, three to four broad, thick as 
velvet, of a deep green color, and of a waxen glossiness. Its name 
implies its love of the seaside. We are not aware whether it has 
been tried in the interior. 



THE SHEPHERDIA. Shepherdia. 

The Buffalo Berry, S. argentea, is a small tree, native of the 
banks of the Missouri river, where it becomes* a tree from twelve 
to eighteen feet in height, and is known by the several names of 
Buffalo-berry, rabbit-berry, and beef-suet tree. Flowers yellow, in 
April and May ; berries scarlet, about the size of the red currant, 
of fine flavor, and *' form one continued cluster on every branch. " 



THE PAW-PAW. Anona triloba. 

A small tree, native of the valley of the Ohio, and of the States 
southward, that bears a yellow oval fruit two or three inches long, 
which is insipid, but eatable. Flowers purple, one inch in diam- 
eter. The leaves are smooth-edged, of soft texture, wavy, and the 
form of the shell-bark hickory leaf, elongated. Bark very smooth, 
and of a silver-gray color. It is grown in a protected situation in 
the Central Park, but cannot be considered quite hardy north of 
Washington and Cincinnati. It requires a very rich soil. 




CHAPTER IV. 

DECIDUOUS SHEUBS. 




HRUBS are distinguished from trees by having many stems 
issuing near the surface of the ground from a common 
root, instead of having all their branches and foliage sup- 
ported on a single stem. Among the descriptions of trees 
in the preceding chapter are embraced many dwarf and shrubby 
sorts that should rank as shrubs ; such, for instance, as the dwarf 
white-flowering horse-chestnut, the purple magnolia, etc., which 
have been described with trees in order not to separate families, as 
explained in our remarks on the classification of trees and shrubs 
in Chapter II. of Part II. 

Before proceeding with descriptions, we desire again to call the 
reader's attention to the fact, that shrubs which are the most com- 
monly knowji, and the cheapest, are generally the finest, or at least have 
the greatest member of desirable qualities. Now, what are the most 
essential qualities of shrubs for home embellishment? Before 
answering this we must demand what kind of a place is to be 
embellished ; whether large or small, isolated or connected with 
others ; whether it is to be laid out on a geometric plan, in a gar- 
denesque manner, or with more simple groupings in miniature 



456 DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 

" landscape-gardening " stj-le ; and whether the shrubs are to be 
used in masses, or for single specimens. All these considerations 
will render one or another shrub more desirable according to its 
size and form ; and size and form will, therefore, be the qualities 
that must Jirst be considered. But, aside from the question of size 
alone, there are certain general qualities that will apply to all 
shrubs to make them always more or less desirable in well-kept 
places. The most essential is, that the foliage be so luxuriant on 
all parts as to cover the branches. Next, that the leaves come out 
early, and retain a good color till hard frosts. Third, that the 
flowers be conspicuous, of pure colors, and fragrant. Fourth, that, 
while preserving a shrubby character, they be free from a suckering 
habit, by which the ground or lawn for some distance around the 
collar of the stems is annually incumbered by sprouts from the 
roots. Shrubs which have stems uniting like the branches of a 
tree in a common heart or trunk, provided they cover the ground 
in a shrubby manner, are likely to be more graceful, and certainly 
neater and more gardenesque than those which throw up suckers 
far from the centre stems ; but there are some, like the flowering 
currant, for instance, which have this bad qualit}', and are yet in 
dispensable for their many other good features. 

Now, if we bear in mind these most essential qualities, and 
look over any good list of shrubs, to select a half dozen of the best, 
it will be found that our most common materials, such as the lilacs, 
bush-honeysuckles, syringas, snow-balls, deutzias, and weigelas, are 
the ones which approximate most nearly to perfect shrubs ; and we 
shall find it difficult to select another half dozen, no matter what 
expense we are willing to incur, that equal the six species in 
beauty of form, foliage, or bloom , though single shrubs may be 
named that will excel some of them in many qualities. 

Enthusiastic amateurs, as well as professional gardeners and 
nurserymen, hail with delight every change and shade of change 
from old forms, not because the new things are any more beautiful 
than the old, but simply because they are novelties ; and from 
much the same impulse that we prefer new books to old ones, with- 
out stopping to compare closely their intrinsic merits. Men who 
are constantly studying trees and shrubs, learn to observe with in- 



DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 457 

finite pleasure all the little variations of form and shade that can 
be discovered in them, and appear to place a higher value on a 
single quality which distinguishes a new plant from all others, than 
on any combination of merits in the old. We say appear to do so ; 
but, in fact, the eyes of such lovers of trees and shrubs are like the 
ears of highly cultivated musicians, who do not love pure and 
simple sounds the less because they listen with more rapt and de- 
lighted attention to the intricate play of new chords and harmonies 
that may be interwoven with the simple body of the music. The 
beauty with which we have become quite familiar, like the warmth 
of sunlight, is felt without being observed ; but what is uncommon 
in nature or art creates a sensation of excitement, and if it is a; 
thing of beauty, becomes an aesthetic stimulus. But the love of 
intricate melodies, peculiar to highly cultivated musicians, cannot 
be ingrafted suddenly upon the greater number who love simple 
music; nor can the taste of the cultured amateur in trees and 
shrubs be shared by the great mass of persons who admire sylvan 
nature only in a rudimentary way 

It will be seen, therefore, that several classes of persons and 
tastes must be provided for. First, those who appreciate only 
the most prominent and simple forms of vegetable beauty ; second, 
those (a much smaller number) who have passed the first stage of 
observation, and whose eyes have become educated to take in and 
appreciate a greater number of features or peculiarities at once — 
who have become connoisseurs or dilettanti in natural objects ; 
third, those who may be named the artist-eyed class, who valuq 
sylvan features not so much for any of their beauties in detail, as 
for those relations of forms and play of lights and shades and colors 
which group into what we call pictures. The last class is the one 
which soonest learns to handle trees and shrubs, so as to make 
homes beautiful. For the first class it would be absurd to describe 
numerous varieties of each species of tree or shrub when one or 
two would answer perfectly their wants ; but to satisfy the second 
class, respectful mention must be made of much that is new and 
rare. It is by the enthusiasm of just such persons as compose the 
second class that most of the beautiful trees and shrubs, now com- 
mon, but once rare or unknown, have been introduced ; some from 



458 DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 

far countries, and more from the wilds of our own country. When, 
therefore, in the following or the preceding descriptions, there is 
more warmth of praise of some tree or shrub that is little known 
than of some of the beautiful well-known sorts, it must be remem- 
bered that we are writing partly for a class who are disposed to 
follow St. Paul's injunction; — "prove all things; hold fast that 
which is good." 

The growth of shrubs sijigly to develop the greatest beauty and 
size they can be made to attain, will produce results that few per- 
sons, even among those familiar with shrubs, are aware of How 
few of those who have seen tartarian honeysuckles all their lives, 
have ever seen one standing out alone in a rich soil, ten feet high 
and fifteen feet in diameter of head, and arching to the lawn like a 
miniature Connecticut valley elm ; yet this would be a common size 
and form if this shrub were planted and kept with the intention of 
developing its greatest beauty. The common snow-ball viburnum 
can be grown much larger, probably sixteen feet high, and of much 
greater breadth of branches ; the latter bending to the ground with 
a graceful sweep that the early growth of the shrub does not promise. 
The little red-fruited St. Peterswort or Indian currant, known in 
some localities as the red waxberry, which is usually tucked in among 
other shrubs as not important enough to stand alone, forms one of 
the most symmetrical and graceful of low shrubs when grown as a 
single specimen. In short, among all our commonly cultivated and 
well-known shrubs, one is rarely found which has had a fair chance 
to develop all its beauty. 

The difference between a forest grown oak, and the spreading 
oak of an old park is well known, but the fact that the same differ- 
ence obtains between shrubs grown in the mass or grown singly is 
not generally understood. 

There is much difference in the value of nursery plants for 
growing good specimen shrubs, depending on the nature of their 
roots, and the stockiness of the stems. Seedlings generally make 
the best roots, but as the choicest varieties of most fine shrubs do 
not come true from seed, the nurserymen propagate them princi- 
pally by cuttings and layers, and the commoner varieties by suckers. 
Cuttings generally have roots spreading prett}^ equally on all sides, 




DECinUOUS SHRUBS. 459 

but suckers and layers are apt to be more imperfect in this respect. 
Fig. 155, b, represents a common stool of 
suckers and tlieir roots, wliich may be 
divided to make several plants, each with a 
root. The single stems, rooted all around, 
like the one marked a, are much better 
plants than those with roots on one side 
only as shown at c. It will be seen at a glance that the 
latter are much more likely to make lop-sided shrubs. Where 
it is desu-ed to confine a shrub to a single stem, a plant rooted 
like the one at a is indispensable ; but for those shrubs which 
sucker and sprout so inveterately that they cannot be confined 
to a single heart or trunk, plants like those shown at b and c 
will answer as well. In the former case all the buds that can be 
seen that would be below the line of ground surface after plant- 
ing should be carefully cut out. The top should then be encouraged 
to branch low, otherwise suckers will spring from the roots in spite 
of all attempt to keep them back. It is a common mistake of 
those who experiment to make tree-like shrubs, to trim up the stems 
from the first. This at once lessens the vigor of the stem just 
where it needs to be strengthened. To grow a shrub on a single 
trunk, strong low branches must be encouraged, and these, resting 
upon and shading the ground around the stem will usually lessen 
the tendency to suckers, which is worse in many-stemmed and 
" trimmed-up " shrubs. The advantage of a central trunk for 
some shrubs is not in the sight of tall bare stems which at once 
destroy the shrubby effect which shrubs are planted to produce, 
but rather for their greater neatness of appearance, ease of culture, 
and finer shadows under their drooping branches, than are ever 
seen under sucker-environed shrubs. These remarks of course apply 
only to those shrubs which show some aptitude for an arboreous 
habit. To attempt to grow currants, spireas, and other shrubs, in a 
tree form, will be tims and labor thrown away. 



460 DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 

Fig. 156. 




THE LILAC. Syringa. 

The lilac among shrubs in this country is like the maple among 
trees, the most common and the most indispensable. Many home 
yards are made incongruous medleys of expensive novelties in flow- 
ers and shrubs which might have been more nobly adorned with 
masses of well-selected lilacs alone. The home of our poet Long- 
fellow, in Cambridge, Mass., is a fine example of the simple beauty 
of such groups ; a few masses of lilacs and some ancient elms 
being all its sylvan decoration. 

The lilac is indigenous in Persia and the valley of the Danube. 
Some of the species grow to the height of twenty feet. The com- 
mon white, S. alba, and purple, S. vulgaris, and their varieties, are 
stout upright growing shrubs, usually higher than their breadth. 
They may easily be trained into tree-form if care is taken to plant 
single stems with well-balanced roots, encouraging them to branch 
low, and pruning all suckers away as soon as they appear. All the 
lilacs tend to the bush form, and except where fine single speci- 
mens are desired for their novelty, it is not advisable to meddle 
with this tendency, but rather to encourage it by heading back at 
the top, so as to keep the bottom of the bush from growing scanty- 
foliaged and " scrawny." The lilac may be grafted on the white ash. 

The Persian lilacs, S. per ska (called by some Siberian lilacs), 
have smaller leaves, darker colored blossoms, and slenderer 
branches than the common lilac. We have seen a specimen in 



DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 461 

Rochester, N. Y., twelve feet high and sixteen feet or more in di- 
ameter, drooping on all sides to the ground with the weight of its 
blossorns. This, however, is an unusual size. 

The lilac is usually propagated from suckers, which it produces 
in great abundance, but better trees or shrubs can probably be pro- 
duced by budding or grafting the best varieties upon seedling 
plants. 

There are several varieties of the common and of the Persian 
lilacs of distinct character. A few that are cordially recommended 
will be named somewhat in the order of their size, beginning with 
the largest. The list embraces but a selection from the large num- 
ber of varieties on the nursery catalogues. 

The Common White Lilac, Syringa alba, is not surpassed by 
any other white variety in size or beauty of foliage ; but as its 
growth is upright, and it has a tendency to get bare of leaves at the 
bottom, we recommend that it be generally cultivated in tree-form. 
Flowers white, beginning to end of May. Height twelve to twenty 
feet. 

The Giant Lilac. S. gigantea. — A very rank upright grower, 
with the largest leaves and spikes of flowers of any of the species. 
It blooms in May. Flowers a dark reddish purple, in spikes from 
nine to twelve inches long, and eight inches broad. Its leaves re- 
tain a pure color later in autumn than the other lilacs. Height 
twelve to twenty feet. 

Charles Xth. S. carola. — One of the best to grow in tree- 
form. The foliage and blossoms are both darker colored and 
larger than that of the common lilac, S. vulgaris, and the growth a 
little coarser. Height ten to fifteen feet, 

Emodi Lilac. S. emodi. — A Himalayan variety. Foliage 
large, and among the most glossy of the lilacs. The leaves are 
more pointed than any other variety. Habit erect, but not so stiff 
as many others, and good for a tree-form. Flowers the darkest 
purple, lavender-scented, and very fragrant. Height ten to twelve 
feet. There are good specimens of this in the New York Central 
Park. 

The S. coerulea siiperha is a fine blue-flowered variety, originated 
'by Ellwanger & Barry, of Rochester, N. Y. 




462 DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 

The Common Purple Lilac. S. vulgaris. — This is almost 
too well known to need description. Fig. 157 gives its character- 
istic habit in four to six years after planting, and 
Fig. 156 shows the noble development it makes 
when allowed ample room for extension in a 
rich soil. Its blossoms are the standard lilac 
color, and when the blossoms of the other pur- 
ple-flowered lilacs are described as more or less 
purple, the comparison is always with this one. 
Height ten to twelve feet. 
The Beautiful Lilac. S. speciosa. — This is one of the small- 
est bushes among the lilacs, of short stout growth, and robust ap- 
pearance. It forms a compact bush, from five to eight feet in 
height. Flowers large, in compact spikes, of a purplish-red color. 
One of the best in every respect. 

The Josika Lilac. S.Josikea. — Also called the chionanthus- 
leaved lilac, from the strong resemblance its leaves bear to those of 
the chionanthus. It is quite different in foliage and general appear- 
ance from the other lilacs. A native of Transylvania, growing in 
shady places near the water. Leaves of a waxy appearance and 
wavy surface. An upright grower, and will probably bear to be 
grown as a tree. It holds its foliage of good color quite late in the 
fall, and blooms one month later than other lilacs. Flowers deep 
purple in June. Height ten to twelve feet. 

The following old sorts are still the most valuable of the small- 
leaved species variously known as Persian, Chinese, or Siberian 
lilacs. Their growth is more slender and less rigid than the pre- 
ceding. 

The Persian White Lilac. ^S*. persica alba. — This forms a 
large spreading shrub, whose branches with age bend with a fine 
curve so that their tips touch the ground when loaded with blos- 
soms. Flowers a delicate lavender-white in May. 

The Common Persian Lilac. S. persica. — Same as preced- 
ing, except that its flowers are a dark lilac color. The spikes of 
flowers are larger than those of the common large-leaved lilac, and 
looser. Though the growth of this species is every way more deli- 
cate than the common lilac, it forms at maturity a broader bush. 



DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 463 

The Rothmagensis Lilac. S. rothmagensis. — This is probably 
the finest of all the lilacs. It is a cross between the S. vulgaris and 
6*. persica, originated in Rouen, France, more than seventy years 
ago. In leaves, flowers, and graceful habit, it most resembles its 
Persian parent, but is more robust ; and in the size of its panicles 
of flowers exceeds any of its relatives. These sometimes grow 
from ten to sixteen inches long, and bend the branches to the 
ground with their abundance. They are a little later than those of 
the common lilac. May and beginning of June. 

In making a collection of six lilacs only, in addition to the 
common purple, the following might be selected : S. alba, S. emodi, 
S. coerulea sicperba, S.Josikea, S. rothmagensis, and S. persica alba. • 



THE HONEYSUCKLE. Lonicera. 

The honeysuckle family is divided into 
two classes, viz : those of a twining character, 
or vines, and those of a shrubby character. 
The latter are here referred to. Fig. 158 
gives the characteristic form of a well grown 
honeysuckle bush from six to eight feet high 
and broad. Some varieties spread more in 
proportion to their height j all are noted for 
the small size and delicacy of their leaves, which cover the branches 
profusely. Their flowers are small, but very pretty and abundant. 

The Red Tartarian Honeysuckle. Z. tartarica. — Old and 
common, it still takes a front rank among ornamental shrubs ; and 
were we to have but one shrub, or but one species of shrub, we 
would probably choose the honeysuckle. No shrub is earlier in 
leaf, and the delicacy of its foliage, its pure color, and graceful 
luxuriance of growth, would, without the flowers, make this species 
one of the most desirable ; but with its delicate, perfumed, pink 
bloom in May, it becomes altogether a perfect shrub. When young 
its form is rather fastigiate, but in a few years it begins to spread 
outward, and at maturity, in rich open- ground, it becomes a superb 
spreading mass, much broader than its height, with branches bend- 




464: DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 

ing on all sides to the lawn. One may have seen honeysuckle 
bushes a lifetime in shrubbery borders, or neglected in the grass, 
without knowing how graceful an object it is when growing in rich 
ground, quite alone, with the breadth and grace of its maturity. 
The honeysuckle holds its leaves late in the fall, and occasionally 
they are brightly colored before they drop. The berries in autumn 
are yellow or pink, and ornamental. 

The White Tartariai^ Honeysuckle. Z. i. alba. — This 
variety is of stronger growth than the preceding, becomes a higher 
bush, and may with care be made into a low tree. The flowers 
and fruit are both white. The foliage is a little larger and paler 
than the red tartarian, and the bush does not become so graceful 
with age. 

The Pink-flowering Honeysuckle. L. t. grajidifolia. — The 
most vigorous grower, and the most showy bloomer of the species. 
In habit of growth it is more like the white-flowering honeysuckle^ 
but attains still larger size, sometimes twelve to fifteen feet high, 
and may easily be grown as a tree if forced to one stem and allowed 
to branch near the ground. Flowers in May, bright red, striped 
with white. Fruit red. 

The Autumn Honeysuckle. Z. /. fragrantissima. — A low 
and spreading variety four to six feet high. Flowers in October 
and November, small, not abundant, but exceedingly fragrant. The 
foliage is larger than that of most of the honeysuckles, of a deep 
green color, and sub-evergreen. 

The Blue-berried Honeysuckle. Z. cxrulea. — A small up- 
right growing shrub, three to four feet high. Flowers greenish 
yellow, in June; inconspicuous j berries blue. Foliage very abund- 
ant and of a beautiful green. 

There are many other varieties, but not of such marked charac- 
ter as to be interesting except in an arboretum. 



THE SYRINGA. Philaddphus. 

This old, vigorous, and graceful shrub is still one of the finest, 
grown singly or in masses ; and tliough surpassed in profusion of 



DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 465 

bloom by the lilacs and other shrubs, and in delicacy by the deut- 
zias, its masses of foliage when out of bloom are not surpassed by 
any. The variety of syringas is not large, and the common sort, 
first named below, is still unsurpassed in fragrance of flowers and 
beauty of foliage by the newer sorts. 

The Common Syringa. F. vulgaris.— This forms a shrub 
from eight to ten feet high, and spreads at maturity like the head 
of an elm. It is early in leaf; the foliage is luxuriant and breaks 
into fine masses ; the flowers in May and June are white, single, 
about the size of an apple-blossom, and noted for their fragrance. 

The Double-flowering. P.florepleHa.—i:\\\s forms a smaller 
bush than the above, has semi-double flowers at the same time • 
also fragrant. 

Zeyher's Syringa, P. zeyheri, is noted for the size it attains, 
forming a spreading bush twelve to fifteen feet high, with larger and 
less abundant flowers than the preceding, and but slightly fragrant. 
Gordon's Syringa. F. Gordonii.—K large round-headed 
shrub eight to ten feet high, blooming a month or more later than 
the other sorts. Flowers large, white, and scentless. Its slender 
side-shoots give it the appearance of a weeping habit. Foliao-e a 
bright green. 

The Showy-flowered Syringa. P. speciosa or grandiflora.— 
A large bending-branched shrub, ten to fourteen feet high, bearing 
large white scentless flowers in June. 

The Dwarf Syringa. P. naiia.—^wt two to three feet high, 
and grows like a cabbage with in-curved branches. A shy bloomer, 
but a pretty shrub. When syringa bushes make too long and ram- 
bling growth, they are improved by heading back. 



THE VIBURNUMS. Viburnum. 

This family of shrubs embraces a few evergreens, but is 
best known through its popular representative, the sho^\7 snow- 
ball viburnum, or guelder rose, V. opulus. The foliage varies 
widely in the different species. The evergreen species is known as 
the laurustinus, V. tinus laurifoUa, and has laurel-like leaves, thick 
3° 



466 DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 

and glossy, and in England is considered one of the most ornamen- 
tal of evergreen shrubs, "the foliage tufting in beautiful masses, 
and covered with a profusion of white flowers which commence 
expanding in November, and continue flowering till April or May." 
From the fact that this species is not grown in our best nurseries, 
we infer that it is too tender to be grown in the northern States, 
though a common garden-shrub in the south of England. It forms 
a compact shrub from eight to ten feet high. Native of the south 
of Europe and north of Africa. The viburnum, awefuki, or Ja- 
poniciim, is a beautiful new Japanese evergreen variety which, it was 
formerly supposed, would prove hardy; and the V. sinensis^ a 
Chinese evergreen sort, was once reported entirely hardy in Eng- 
land. We have not heard from either of them in this country. 

Snow-ball Viburnum. Viburnum opulus. — The snow-ball, or 
guelder rose, is a shrub so common, and so showy when in bloom, 
that few, even of towns-people, are unfamiliar with it. Its magnifi- 
cent balls of white flowers, from two to four inches in diameter, 
appear about the first of June, when the lilac has done blooming, 
and for showiness have no equals in their time. The bush is large, 
massy, and though coarse in foliage, spreads broadly and grace- 
fully as it grows old. They may be grown in symmetrical tree- 
form, branching and bending on all sides to the lawn with a wealth 
of " snow-balls " exceedingly showy. Either as a bush or tree, it 
requires, at maturity, ten to twelve feet space for its perfect develop- 
ment ; and it sometimes attains a height and breadth of fifteen feet. 
The leaves in autumn assume bright warm colors. 

The Variegated-Leaved, V. o. foliis variegati, has leaves 
variegated with white and yellow. 

The Double-flowering, V. o. flore plena, flowers double, but 
no more showy than the common sort. 

The Dwarfs, V. o. nana and V. pygmcea, are ver}^ diminutive 
varieties. 

The High-bush Cranberry, V. o. oxycoccus, a large coarse 
shrub or small tree, bearing a fruit that is eatable, and with leaves 
larger and less deeply lobed than the common snow-ball. Its 
flowers are less showy, and a month later. Its fruit resembles the 
cranberry, and may be used in the same way. 



DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 467 

The Lantana Viburnum, V. lantanoides. — The under-sides of 
the leaves and branches covered with a white down. Flowers 
abundant ; May and June. Decaying leaves a deep red. Loudon 
says that when grown on a single stem, it becomes a handsome, 
durable small tree from twelve to fifteen feet in height. A very 
rapid grower. 

The American Lantana Viburnum, V. lantanoides. — Simi- 
lar to the above. Flowers in May, and holds its foliage very 
late. 

The Cotinus-leaved Viburnum, V. cotinifolium, has foliage 
covered with gray down on both surfaces. Flowers small, bell- 
shaped, tinted with pink, and in large clusters, in April and May. 
A variety rare in our nurseries. 

The Japan Viburnum, V. plicatum, is a vigorous, hardy vari- 
ety, with rough dark-purple tinted leaves, and balls of flowers 
slightly tinted with rose color. 

The Great-leaved Viburnum, V. machrophyllum, is a variety 
with very large leaves, said to have " immense clusters of flowers, 
greatly more showy than the old sort." 

The Maple-leaved Viburnum, V. acerifolium, is a pretty 
native shrub from four to six feet high, with umbellate clusters of 
white flowers, less showy than those of the common snow-ball. 

The Pliant-branched Viburnum, V. lentago, an indigenous 
variety that forms a robust shrub, or low tree, from six to ten feet 
high, bearing large umbrels of small white flowers in July. De- 
caying leaves purple, red and yellow. Naked young wood yellow- 
ish and reddish-green. Fruit black, in September. 

The Plum-tree-leaved Viburnum. V. prunifolium. — The 
foliage of this variety resembles that of both the pear and the 
plum tree, and is less luxuriant than many other varieties. It 
flowers profusely in May and June. Fruit dark blue ; ripe in Sep- 
tember. Height eight to ten feet. Growth rather thin and strag- 
ling. 

The Pear-tree-leaved Viburnum, V. pyrifolium, resembles 
the preceding, but of less straggling growth. Fruit black ; Sep- 
tember. 

The Tooth-leaved Viburnum or Arrow-wood, V. dentatum 



468 



DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 



— This variety has poplar-shaped leaves, of a light clear green 
color ; globular clusters of small white flowers in June and July , 
and small, round, dark-blue fruit. Height four to six feet. It is a 
lively-toned, well-leaved shrub, in the New York Central Park. 

The Downy Viburnum, V. puhescens. — A downy-leaved south- 
ern shrub. Height three feet. Flowers white ; June and July. 

Fig. 159. 




THE WEIGELA. Weigela. 

This noble shrub, which was introduced from Japan as late as 
1843, has already found a place in most home-grounds from Maine 
to California. Its robust habit, profuse bloom, and easy culture, 
have combined to rank it in popular estimation with those dear 
old shrubs the lilacs and the honeysuckles. The foliage is, how- 
ever, less smooth and elegant, and more allied to that of the syrin- 
gas and deutzias ; and like these shrubs, the bushes as they grow 
old break into fine masses of light and shade. Most of the weige- 
las are erect when young, but form graceful, bending, wide-spread- 
ing bushes when old, where they have room for expansion. The 
varieties are increasing rapidly in number, and though June and 
July are their natural blooming season 
at the north, sporting plants are being 
propagated which will add greatly to the 
length of their blooming time and the 
variety of their colors. The following 
are among the best sorts: 
The Rose Weigela. W. rosea. — The original species. Fig. 
159 shows the characteristic form of a bush four or five years 



Fig. 1 60. 



.-¥■*! 




DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 469 

planted, and Fig. i6o the leaves. It will be seen that the latter vary 
greatly in appearance. The upright twig shows the growth and 
appearance of the leaves on the top of the bush, and the horizontal 
twigs their appearance on the lower branches, which are shaded. 
Placing the two side by side, it is difficult to believe that they are 
from the same bush, so entirely do they differ in all respects. The 
leaves growing in partial shade are of finer texture and more 
glos.sy than those on the top, but the finest formed bushes are 
grown in the most open locations. The leaves appear a little later 
than those of the lilac, are of a warm-toned green, keep their 
color well through the summer, hang on till late, and turn to a 
purplish-red before they fall. Buds a bright red ; flowers quite 
large, bell-shaped 3 pink ; June or July. Height and breadth from 
seven to ten feet. 

The Desbois Weigela, W. Desboisii. — Of ranker growth 
than the preceding. Foliage dark, rough, and coarse, but showy. 
Form more upright than the W. rosea ; may probably be grown as 
a low tree. Flowers blood red and abundant. June and July. 
One of the most showy of shrubs. Height eight to twelve feet. 

The Lovely Weigela. W. amabilis. — This is the largest of 
the weigelas, and is looser and more spreading in its habit than 
the others. Foliage large and coarse. Flowers a deep red, in 
June, and then flowering freely again in September. This can also 
be grown to advantage on a single stem in tree-form. Height 
twelve to fifteen feet. 

The White-flowered Weigela, W. hortensis nivea, is a new 
variet)', with large white flowers, borne in profusion in June and 
July, and retain their pure color a long time. Growth vigorous and 
spreading. Leaves light green, large, and deeply veined. Height 
six to eight feet. 

The Variegated-leaved Weigela. W. variegata. — Some- 
what dwarfish compared with the others, and spreading. Leaves 
mottled with yellow, so as to make a good contrast among dark- 
leaved shrubs. Flowers pink, in June and July. Height four to 
six feet. 

There are some other fine varieties, but the above will give the 
species a good representation. 



470 DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 



THE DEUTZIA. Deutzia. 

Another species of beautiful flowering shrubs for which we are 
indebted to Japan. It belongs to the same family as the common 
syringa, is similar in growth and foliage, but its style of bloom is 
more graceful. The different varieties are among the most charm- 
ing late acquisitions to shrubberies, and already take rank with 
lilacs, honeysuckles, and weigelas. The leaves are simple, serrated, 
and opposite, about the size of syringa leaves, of coarse surface, 
and without gloss; they appear later than those of the lilac, or 
about with the Weigela rosea, which the deutzias also resemble in 
growth, though a little less spreading. The flowers, in most varie- 
ties, pure white, appear in June, in pendulous little panicles or 
racemes from two to four inches in length. Either on or off the 
bush they are very graceful. 

The Rough-leaved Deutzia, D. scabra, is the variety most 
largely disseminated, and the coarsest and most robust grower. It 
becomes a spreading bush from eight to twelve feet in height and 
breadth. 

The Crenate-leaved Deutzia, Z). crejiata, differs principally 
from the foregoing in having a less rank and more graceful habit. 

The Double White-flowering Crenate Deutzia, D. a-enata 
flore plena, differs in having double flowers in greater abundance. 

The Pink-flowering Double Deutzia, Z>. rubra flore plena, 
is similar to the preceding in habit of growth, and the most beauti- 
ful of all in bloom. This, and the double-white, are the finest large 
sorts, an(i should be planted near together, where the colors will be 
contrasted during their profuse blossoming. 

The Graceful Deutzia. D. gracilis. — This is the smallest 
variety and the greatest favorite. It is equally at home in the 
green-house or in open ground, as it is readily forced into winter 
bloom. Its flowers are white, in slender little racemes, in June. 
On the bush, in bouquets, or wreathed with other flowers, the blos- 
soms of the Deutzia gracilis are equally graceful. We remember no 
church decoration so charming as the wreathing and bordering of 
the pulpit and altar of a chapel in Brookline, Mass., decorated 




DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 471 

almost exclusively with the pendant racemes of this variety mingled 
with green leaves. The form of the shrub, when young, is rather 
stiffly upright, but in time it spreads into a graceful little bush, from 
three to four feet in height and breadth. 



THE ALTHEA. Hibiscus syriacus. 

Fig. i6i shows the common form of the althea, Fic i6i. 
which is usually quite fastigiate, broadest at the top, 
and often bare of leaves below ; but it oftenest forms 
a head on a bundle of stems growing from the trunk 
near the ground, rather than with so tree-like a trunk 
as the illustration shows. It is one of the longest 
known and commonest of garden shrubs, and forms 
a good centre for a group of lower shrubs, and is 
useful in belts of shrubbery where its high top and showy blossoms 
may be seen over the tops of more graceful and lower shrubs in 
front. Blooming in August and September when most shrubs are 
done flowering, and with flowers of large size and many colors, it 
will always be found quite useful and showy in pleasure-grounds, 
though the flowers are of coarse texture, and not fragrant. They 
are from three to four inches in diameter, both single and double. 
Purple is the prevailing color, but nearly all the bright colors are 
represented by the finest varieties. The leaves appear later than 
those of most shrubs, but are of a pleasing green color. The althea 
has been considerably used for hedges, but its lateness in spring 
renders it less desirable than the privet and many other deciduous 
shrubs ; and its inferiority to some of the evergreens for this pur- 
pose is manifest. The following are some of the best varieties : 

The Single and the Double White, Double Red, Double Blue, 
Pheasant-eyed, White-striped, the elegantissima, and the Variegated- 
leaved. The latter is one of the finest of variegated-leaved shrubs. 
Some of the most showy varieties of the althea are not quite hardy 
in the coldest parts of our country, and to insure their greatest 
beauty in summer must be planted in sheltered situations, or pro- 
tected by mulching and bundling. 



473 DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 



THE DWARF ALMOND. Amygdalus nana. 

" Blossoms of the almond trees, 
April's gifts to April's bees." 

A small shrub of the nut-bearing almond family, bearing in 
March or April an abundance of small double rose-like flowers, 
closely set upon the twigs, before the appearance of the leaf The 
latter is similar to the leaf of the peach tree. Height from two to 
six feet. It is not perfectly hardy, and to grow and bloom to the 
best advantage at the north, it should have a dry warm soil, the 
ground around it mulched in the fall, the annual growth partly cut 
back every summer, and the suckers allowed to renew the bush by 
fresh wood. It is one of the most common of early flowering spring 
shrubs, but rarely makes a handsome bush when out of bloom. 

There is a variety, A. J>icmila alba, with white flowers ; also a 
Siberian variety described as follows : 

A. n. siberica. "An upright shrub, about six feet high, with 
wand-like shoots, clothed with fine long, willow-like, glossy, serrate 
leaves ; on account of which, and its upright habit of growth, dif- 
ferent from all the other varieties, it is valuable " (Loudon). Flowers 
rather larger than the common sort. 

The dwarf almonds may be budded on the common peach 
or plum tree stocks. 



THE AMORPHA, OR BASTARD INDIGO. Amorpha. 

A family of large spreading shrubs, from six to eight feet high, 
natives of our continent. The leaves are compound, with many 
pairs of small leaflets, resembling those of the locusts. The flowers 
are disposed in long spikes or panicles on the tops of the branches, 
and though " small separately, and imperfect in form, are yet rich 
from their number, and their colors of purple and violet spangled 
with a golden yellow. The plants are not of long duration ; and 
are liable to be broken by wind ; for which reason they ought al- 
ways to be planted in a sheltered situation. They produce an abun- 



I) E cm UO us SHRUBS. 473 

dance of suckers, from which, and from cuttings, they are readily 
propagated." The following are some of the varieties : 

Amorpha fi'iUicosa. — The shrubby amorpha or wild indigo. A 
native of Carolina and Florida. Height nine to twelve feet. Flow- 
ers a dark bluish-purple, in June and July. 

A. glabra. — The glabrous amorpha. A low shrub three to six 
feet high. Flowers bluish-purple in July and August. 

A. nafia. — The dwarf amorpha. Native of Missouri. Height 
one to two feet. Flowers purple, fragrant. 

A. fragrans. The sweet amorpha. A hairy shrub. Height 
seven to eight feet. Flowers dark purple. June and July. 

A. croceolanata. — Saffron woolly amorpha. Plant covered with 
short soft hairs. Racemes branched. Height three to five feet. 
Flowers purple or purplish-blue. July and August. 

A. canescens. — White haired amorpha. Height three feet. 
Flowers dark blue. July and August. 



THE DECIDUOUS ANDROMEDAS. Lyonia {Andromeda). 

The andromedas have been represented in the chapter on trees 
by the larger deciduous species ; and in the chapter on evergreen 
trees and shrubs, the evergreen species will be mentioned. 

The following are the shrubby deciduous species : 

The L. racemosa. — A graceful shrub growing wild in southern 
swamps, bearing short racemes of small, white, fragrant, jar-shaped 
flowers, in June and July. Height three to four feet. 

The Z. mariana is a dwarf species found wild from New Eng- 
land to Florida, and bears pretty little racemes of small white 
flowers, tinged with pink, from May to August. 

The L. paniculata, is a Canadian species three to four feet high, 
little known. The L. salicifolia or willow-leaved, is distinguished 
for fine glossy foliage. The L.frondosa, L. multiflora, L. capreafolia, 
are small shrubs, whose qualities in cultivated grounds are not 
well known. 



474 DECIDUOUS SHRUBS, 



THE ARALIA. Aralia. 

Otherwise known as the angehca tree and Hercules club. The 
stout, club-like, and prickly annual canes of this curious shrub 
make the latter name not inappropriate. It has a partly perennial 
character, the canes usually dying to near the ground, like the 
raspberry, at the end of the year, and renewing themselves an- 
nually. These grow quickly to the height of eight to twelve feet, 
and bear immense doubly-compound leaves which form into an 
umbrella-like head of picturesque luxuriance. We have seen it 
established as a tree, with a trunk six or seven inches in diameter ; 
and grown in this way, it has an unusually distinctive character ; 
but it does not often make for itself a good trunk, and is oftener 
not quite a tree, nor yet a shrub. Flowers in large, loose panicles, 
greenish-white, in August and September. Height ten to twenty 
feet. 

There is a Japanese species, A. japonica, that is smaller, and 
has not, it is believed, been introduced in American gardens. 



THE AZALEA. Azalea. 

A deciduous shrub of the rhododendron family, natives of both 
hemispheres. The species vary in height from six inches to fifteen 
feet. The following are a few of them : 

Azalea pontica, a native of the eastern borders of the Medi- 
terranean. Height four to six feet. Flowers yellow ; in May and 
June. " There are a great number of varieties of this species in 
the gardens, differing principally in the color of their flowers and the 
hue of their leaves. The flowers of the species are of a fine bright 
yellow ; but those of the varieties are of all shades, from yellow to 
copper or orange color ; and they are sometimes of a pure white, 
or of white striped with yellow and red. Besides, as this species 
seeds freely, and is easily cross-fecundated with the North Ameri- 
can species, an immense number of varieties of it have been 
originated in British and Continental gardens" (Loudon). * Some 



DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 475 

of these varieties may be found in the catalogues of our principal 
nurseries. 

Azalea iiudijiora. — Upright American honeysuckle ; natives of 
hilly or mountainous parts of the United States. Leaves lanceo- 
late-oblong, nearly smooth, and green on both surfaces. Flowers 
scarlet, pink, white, striped, variegated, red, and purple ; and dis- 
posed in terminal clustered racemes, appearing before the leaves ; 
April to June. Height three to four feet. The wild varieties are 
numerous, and have been superseded in cultivation by new varieties. 

Azalea viscosiim. Flowers produced in terminal clusters ; leafy 
and hairy ; white and sweet-scented ; June, July and August. The 
varieties and hybrids produced by cultivation from this species, are 
as numerous as those of the preceding species. Height two to 
fifteen feet. 

Azalea speciosa. — The showy azalea. Flowers scarlet ; June 
and July. Height two to six feet. A native of our country. 

Azalea arbor escejis. — The tree-like azalea. Height ten to fifteen 
feet. Flowers rose-colored ; June and July. Leaves glossy on 
both sides ; long oval, with obtuse end. Pursh, a distinguished 
botanist, says it forms, with its elegant foliage and large, abundant, 
rose-colored flowers, the finest ornamental shrub he knows. 

The following is a list of a few //<a;r^-bedding azaleas, recom- 
mended by Mr. J. R. Strumpe, of the Parsons' nursery at Flush- 
ing, one of the most skillful cultivators of the azalea and the 
rhododendron in this country : 

A. parmicellata stellata, straw-color and salmon. A. elegantissima, 
pink ; late. A. calendiilacea Jlamula, scarlet. A. calendulacea coc- 
cinea, orange scarlet. A. visocephalum, white and very fragrant. 
A. coccinea, scarlet. A. bicolor, orange, yellow and white ; superb. 
A. ne plus ultra. 

These are mostly hybrids, produced by skillful cultivation. A 
soil composed largely of leaf mould, with the roots somewhat pro- 
tected from the sun, is considered desirable for the azalea. It is a 
species of shrub that requires much attention, and not noted for 
the abundance of its foliage when out of bloom. Those who have 
green-houses find the azalea one of the most available of bedding- 
out shrubs, but with com.mon culture it is not so valuable. 



476 DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 



THE BUDDLEA. BuddJea. 

Some varieties of tiiis Chilian shrub have been tried in open 
ground near New York, and the Biiddlea Lindleyana is advertised 
by some of our leading nursery-men. The genus is not considered 
hardy in England, and is not likely to be in the northern States. 

The Globe-flowered Buddlea, B. globosa, in Chili, is a large 
spreading shrub, twelve to fifteen feet high, with small balls of 
bright yellow flowers and long lanceolate opposite leaves, growing 
at right angles with their twigs, to which they are attached. 



THE BUTTONWOOD. Cephalanthus. 

This is not our American plane tree, or sycamore, which is 
sometimes called the buttonwood tree, but a compact, glossy-leaved 
shrub, indigenous throughout the States on the borders of swamps 
and in wet shady places. For such places it is one of the best 
shrubs, forming a globular bush, well covered with thick glossy 
leaves. The flowers are yellowish-white, and appear in globular 
clusters, about one inch in diameter, in July and August. Height 
four to six feet. In dry sunny exposures the foliage is rusty, less 
abundant, and less glossy. 



THE BERBERRY. Berberis. 

A spreading, many-stemmed, deciduous prickly shrub ; the 
habit of growth being much like that of a gooseberry bush. 
Height from four to ten feet. Leaves small, very glossy, obovate, 
serrate, with hairy edges ; flowers yellow ; May and June. Berries 
red j ripe in September. Grown in England for its fruit. It is a 
long-lived shrub, and sometimes grows into a small tree. 

The Common Berberry. B. vulgaris. — When well grown, in 
a warm soil, it forms a very pretty shrub. Its short racemes of 
small yellow flowers, in May, though not sho\\7, are pretty. When 



DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 477 

growing alone^ or on the border of a mass of shrubs, its branches, 
with age, bend gracefully to the ground, though for some years after 
it is planted the habit is erect. 

The Purple Berberry. B. atropurpurea. — This is a variety 
of the common berberry, with leaves and young twigs of a pure 
purple color. A beautiful and indispensable shrub in every collec- 
tion, on this account, as well as for its gracefully spreading habit. 
Flowers like the preceding. A spreading bush, five to seven feet 
broad and high, ordinarily, but may be grown much larger. 



THE CALYCANTHUS, OR SWEET-SCENTED SHRUB. 

Calycanthus fioridus. 

A spreading bush, native of the southern States, with fragrant 
flowers and camphor-scented wood. The flowers, produced from 
May to August, are small and inconspicuous, but of a peculiar and 
delicious perfume. Color, a deep dull purple. The leaves are 
dull in color. At the south it is a handsome shrub, but is not so 
well worth planting in the northern States, except for the peculiar- 
ity of the perfume. It does best in a rich, warm, sandy soil, and 
a shady place. The C. glaucus is a variety very similar to the 
above, with glossier leaves, and less odorous but brighter-colored 
flowers. Height at the south six to eight feet. The C. prunifolius 
is a variety highly recommended for its good habit and fragrance. 



THE CARAGANA. Caragana. 

An Asiatic species of leguminacecB, mostly shrubs. The follow- 
ing are the best known : 

The Siberian Pea-tree. Caragana arborescens. — A fastig- 
iate shrubby tree, with numerous yellow twigs and very small 
pinnate leaves of the same character as those of the acacias, but 
much smaller and of a rare golden-green color. Flowers small, 
yellow, in April or May. Seeds borne in pods, ripe in August. A 
tree of marked beauty in early summer, by the contrast it presents 



478 DECIDUOUS SSRUBS. 

with shrubs of dark and less deUcate foliage. Height ten to eigh- 
teen feet 

The Caragana friitescens is a more shrubby species of the same, 
growing six to ten feet high ; also noted for the yellowish hue of its 
leaves. 

The Caragana grandiflora. — A pretty, quite low shrub, with the 
same characteristics of foliage as the preceding. Height two to 
four feet. Flowers yellow, an inch long, in June and July. Pods 
brown, ripe in September. 

The Chinese Caragana, C. chamlagu, is a low spreading shrub, 
two to four feet high, with branches at first upright and then de- 
cumbent. Grafted on the C. arborescens it forms, according to 
Loudon, "a singularly picturesque pendulous tree; beautiful not 
only when it is in leaf or in flower, but from the graceful lines 
formed by its branches, even in the midst of winter, when they are 
completely stripped of their leaves." Flowers yellow, or reddish- 
yellow, in May and June. 



THE CALOPHACA. Calophaca. 

This is another species of leguminacece, from Russia and Siberia, 
with extremely small acacia-like leaves, composed of many leaflets, 
and racemes of yellow blossoms, on long upright stalks. It bears 
a reddish pod in August, which is ornamental. It is recommended 
to graft this species on the laburnum, as it forms a shrub only two 
to four feet high on its own roots. Flowers in June. 



THE CHIMONANTHUS, OR WINTER FLOWER. 

Chimonaiithus fj-agrans. 

A half-hardy shrub, from Japan, producing yellow and purple 
flowers, an inch or more in diameter, of great fragrance, from No- 
vember to March ; hence its name of winter flower. It flourishes 
in the south of England, and will probably thrive on the Atlantic 
and Gulf slopes south of Washington. It is considered one of the 



DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 479 

choicest acquisitions to English gardens, as its flowers can be gath- 
ered fresh daily through the winter, to decorate and perfume the 
drawing-room. Those who have cold ^rape-houses at the north 
may grow the shrub in tubs, to be kept in the open air during the 
summer and under glass in winter. Height six to eight feet. It 
can be trained to walls or espaliers. The name so nearly resembles 
chionanthus that it is sometimes erroneously supposed to be the 
same. 

CEANOTHUS, OR RED ROOT. Ceanothus. 

The American Ceanothus or New Jersey Tea-plant, C. 
americanus, is a wild-wood shrub from three to four feet high, well 
covered with small racemes of white flowers from June to August. 
The leaves were used during the American Revolution as a substi- 
tute for tea. 

C. thyssiflorus is a sub-evergreen shrub of Upper California, 
which there becomes a small tree bearing bright blue flowers from 
May to November, In English gardens it is an esteemed flowering 
shrub. 

C. vehitinus, is another sub-evergreen species, native of the 
lower hills of Oregon, where it sometimes covers their declivities 
with almost impenetrable thickets. Height three to eight feet; 
flowers white. 



THE CHASTE TREE. Vitex. 

The chaste tree of our nurseries is the V. agmis cashes. A de- 
ciduous shrub, native of South Europe. The leaf is composed of 
five to seven slender leaflets joined at a common centre like those 
of the Favia family. They are aromatic, but not agreeably so. 
Flowers in September, small, bluish-white, rarely reddish-white, 
in loose terminal panicles, from seven to fifteen inches in length, 
and of an agreeable odor. Height eight to ten feet. The V. a. 
latifolia is a variety with broader and shorter leaflets, and flowers 
alwa3-s blue. The cut-leaved chaste tree, V. incisa, is a newer 




480 DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 

Chinese species that blooms profusely from July to September. 
Height four to five feet. The India chaste tree, F. arborea, is the 
largest species, and has broader and paler leaves. Flowers pur- 
plish, in July and August. Height thirty feet. Half-hardy. All 
the family require a dry soil. 



THE CLETHRA. Clethra. 

Fig. 162. This shrub, though indigenous in our 

--^, ,' woods, has been brought into notice in the 
New York Central Park, more than ever be- 
fore. There are specimens there of several 
varieties. Fig. 162 represents one of them. 
The Alder-leaved, C. alnifolia, forms a 
dense low shrub, covered in July with a mass of white flowers in 
racemes or spikes, and in September with a load of seeds that are 
showy, and rather ornamental. It also blooms a little for the 
second time in September. Hardy. Leaves abundant, light-col- 
ored, and without gloss. Height three to four feet, and greater 
breadth. A native of swamps. 

The Fragrant Clethras grow by many divaricating sprouts 
or suckers, into a broad mass of coarse light-colored foliage. A 
specimen in the Central Park is eight feet high, ten feet in diame- 
ter, and, in September, one of the best single masses of shrub 
foliage. 

The Downy Clethra, C. tomentosa, differs principally in having 
the underside of the leaves covered with white down. 

The Large Clethra, C. acuminata, is a large shrub or low 
tree, with flowers like the first-named sort. A native of the high 
mountains of the Carolinas. 



COLUTEA, or bladder SENNA. Colufea arhorescens. 

A quick-growing straggling shrub, with delicate acacia-like leaves, 
of a warm light color. Its flowers are small and yellow, in July 



DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 



481 



and August. Its fruit-pods are like little bladders, and explode 
with pressure. A good shrub for the interior of masses of shrubbery. 
Height twelve to fourteen feet. C. cruenta is a smaller variety, 
with reddish flowers. C. media is near the size of the first, with 
orange flowers. They require cutting back, to prevent the bottom 
parts from becoming bare of leaves, unless placed behind masses 
of lower shrubs. The C. arborescens can, with care, be made into 
a pretty tree. 



THE FLOWERING CURRANT. Jiibes. 




The several varieties of flowering cur- Fig- 163. 

rants are graceful shrubs of slender growth 
and small leaves ; with less weight of foliage 
than characterize the lilacs, syringas, and 
bush-honeysuckles, but so early in leaf and 
flower, and pleasing in form, that they are 
apt to grow in favor where well known. 
There is a grace in the drooping — almost trailing — habit of the 
lower growth of old bushes when allowed free expansion on all 
sides, that adapts them for the borders of groups. Height and 
breadth five to eight feet. 

The Missouri Currant. Hibes aureum. — This blooms in 
April, as the leaves are beginning to expand. The blossoms are 
yellow, small, in racemes from one to two inches long, and fragrant. 
Covering the slender branches, bending to the lawn, these early 
flowers mingled with opening leaves have a pretty effect, and the 
shrubs cover pleasingly with delicate yellowish-green glossy foliage 
after the flowers are gone. 

The Red-flowering Currant, R. sanguineum, is much more 
showy in bloom. Its flowers are a deep rose-color, small like the 
preceding, but the racemes a little longer, and it blooms even 
earlier. There are many varieties, hybrids between this and the 
R. aureum. The following is generally considered the finest : 

Gordon's Flowering Currant, R. Gordoni, has both crimson 
and yellow flowers ; it blooms profusely, and somewhat later than 
31 



482 DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 

the preceding, and is of vigorous growth and very graceful habit at 
maturity. 

The Double Crimson, i?. sanguinea flo7-e plena, is a new variety, 
said to be more showy in flower. 

The R. s. glutinosum is a variety with pink flowers and earhest 
of all in leaf. The foliage of all these shrubs falls early, but turns 
to brilliant crimson and yellow colors before it falls. 

The Fuschia Gooseberry, Ribes speciosum, is necessary to 
complete the variety. Its shining leaves and vivid crimson 
blossoms, like miniature fuschias, and its lesser size, make it an 
appropriate border companion for the preceding sorts. Flowers in 
May and June. It can be budded on any of the currants. 

All these varieties of Ribes are natives of the valley of the 
Columbia, or California. 

Many of the old high-bush gooseberries are beautiful shrubs in 
the spring and summer, but most of them drop their leaves so 
early in the fall that it is a serious objection to their use. 



THE WHITE CYTISSUS, OR PORTUGAL BROOM. 

Cytissus alba. 

A half-hardy shrub, allied to the laburnums. A native of the 
south of Europe. Growth rapid, fastigiate, and composed of a 
great number of green upright shoots. Flowers white, in May, 
like very small pea-blossoms, and very sweet. " Placed by itself 
on a lawn, it forms a singularly ornamental plant, even when not in 
flower, by the varied disposition and tufting of its twiggy thread- 
like branches. When in flower it is one of the finest ornaments of 
the garden. Trained to a single stem, its effect is increased ; and 
grafted on the laburnum, a common practice about Paris, it forms 
a remarkable combination of beauty and singularity" (Loudon). 
Height from ten to twent}^ feet. 

The Flesh-colored Cytissus. C. a. incamata. — This is a 
dwarf variety of the above which blooms profusely, and is probably 
the most desirable of the species. The varieties of broom are very 
numerous, but not of sufficient value to enumerate. 



DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 483 



THE COTONE ASTER. Cotoneaster. 

Shrubs, deciduous and evergreen, from four to twenty feet high. 
The leaves of some varieties resemble the quince leaf, and others 
the leaves of the purple fringe tree. Mostly half-hardy. 

The Common Cotoneaster. C. vulgaris. — A shrub three to 
five feet high. Flowers small, white, slightly tinged with pink, in 
April and May. Fruit red or black, ripe in July and August. Of 
little value. 

The Frigid Cotoneaster. C. frigida. — This is a native of the 
high mountains of Nepal, in Asia, and becomes under cultivation 
a tree from fifteen to twenty feet in height. It is sub-evergreen in 
England, but deciduous in this country. Leaves pointed-elliptical, 
smooth on the upper side, woolly on the under side, when young, 
and from three to five inches long. Flowers small, white, in ter- 
minal panicles, produced in great abundance in April and May. 
Fruit crimson or bright red, of the size of a small currant, and 
remains a long time on the tree — sometimes all winter. The growth 
is quite rapid when young, and in three or four years from the seed 
it bears flowers and fruit. " As the fruit, with the greater part of 
the leaves, remains on all winter, the tree makes a splendid ap- 
pearance at that season " (Loudon). Quite hardy in England, but 
only half-hardy in our northern States. It may be grafted on the 
hawthorn. 

The Downy Cotoneaster or Downy Nepal. C. affinis. — 
This is a more commonly cultivated variety of the above, and 
differs only in its broader and shorter leaves. Both resemble 
thrifty pyramidal dwarf pear trees, with larger and thicker leaves. 

The Pointed-leaved Cotoneaster or the Many-leaved 
Cotoneaster, C. acuminata and C. numularia, has smaller and 
rounder leaves, a more spreading habit, and less abundant bloom. 
It is grafted by some of our nurserymen on the mountain ash. 

The Loose-flowered Cotoneaster, C. laxiflo7-a, is a variety 
wdth pink flowers borne in loose racemes in April. 

There are some dwarf evergreen varieties which are mentioned 
in the chapter on evergreen trees and shrubs. 



484 DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 



THE DAPHNE. Daphne. 

Low shrubs, both deciduous and evergreen, growing in shady 
places. 

The Mezereon Pink. Daphne mezeriimi. — A low, fastigiate, 
deciduous shrub, valued for the earliness of its very bright red 
blossoms, which are formed upon the branches in March and April 
before the leaves appear. They are about a half inch in diameter. 
The berries are red and ripe in September. In a deep loam and 
open exposure it becomes a shrub four to six feet high, and of 
equal breadth. The berries and leaves are both poisonous if eaten. 
There is a white-flowered variety, D. m. flore alba; a purple- 
leaved, D. van Houtti ; and an autumn bloomer, D. m. autumnale. 
The latter blooms in November and December, and has larger 
leaves and a more spreading habit than the common mezereon. 

There are numerous species of Daphne, but no others of known 
value except the Daphne aieorum, which is mentioned among 
evergreens. 

THE ELDER. Sambucus. 

The Common Elder, S. canadensis. — This is the Canadian 
elder of the English. A large spreading bush from seven to ten 
feet high, and of greater breadth ; with a flattened umbrella-shaped 
top. Its compound leaves are composed of nine leaflets, of a light 
green color, and glossy on the upper surface. The flowers are 
small, white, and in large flat clusters, in July. The fruit, about 
the size of the currant, is bluish-black, good to eat, and excellent 
for wine ; ripe in September. The spreading form, handsome com- 
pound glossy leaves, and showy fruit of our wild elder, sometimes 
make it a shrub of considerable beauty. 

The Black-fruited Elder. 5. nigra. — This is the common 
elder of the English, and a native of Europe. It grows as a tree 
rapidly when young, but remains stationary after the tree has at- 
tained twenty or thirty feet in height, and equal breadth. The 
leaves are pinnate, of five leaflets, smooth, and of a deep green 



B E CIDUOUS SHRUBS. 485 

color. The flowers, of a pleasing cream color, are small, but in 
large flat clusters, in June. When in bloom the tree is showy ; and 
it has a pleasing appearance at other times. The berries are pur- 
plish-black, ripe in September, and valuable, like those of our na- 
tive sort, for making wine. A wine is also made from the flowers. 

The Mountain Elder, S. racemosa, is a shrub from ten to 
twelve feet in height, "a native of the middle and south of Eu- 
rope, and Siberia, on the mountains, where it forms a large shrub, 
or low tree, growing from ten to twelve feet high" (Loudon). It 
is remarkable for the color of its panicles of fruit, which are a bril- 
liant scarlet, and considered by some the most beautiful of wild 
fruits. The leaves are composed of five leaflets, of a pale green 
color, and smooth. Flowers a whitish-green. Why is it not cul- 
tivated in our nurseries ? 

The Variegated-leaved Elder. S. variegata. — This is one of 
the most showy of variegated-leaved shrubs. The growth is strong 
and healthy, the leaves are mottled with a clear yellow, and pre- 
serve their bright color throughout the season. 



THE EUONYMUS. Euonymus. 

Shrubs, or small trees, popularly known by the names straw- 
berry tree, spindle tree, and burning bush. Different species of 
the euonymus are indigenous in America, Europe and Asia. There 
are several varieties of decided beauty. The name burning-bush, 
given to both the common European and American euonymus, well 
describes them as seen at a distance when covered with their pen- 
dant crimson or scarlet seed-capsules in October and later ; and 
especially when seen in the thickets of a forest. They are all of 
easy culture, hold their leaves longer than many other shrubs, and 
turn to fine colors in autumn. 

The American Euonymus, E. americana, forms a pretty little 
umbrella-shaped tree, from six to ten feet high, with pretty green 
striped bark, and dark glossy leaves, somewhat resembling those of 
the dogwood family. It is a pleasing tree or shrub without its 
fruit, though it is for the beauty given it in autumn and winter by 



486 DECIDUOUS SSBUBS. 

its brilliant and curious seed-vessels, that it is usually planted. 
The flowers are a greenish-yellow, in May and June, and incon- 
spicuous. The seed is enclosed in a capsule, which opens like a 
chestnut burr, showing a glowing crimson lining, from which the 
white and scarlet seeds are suspended by delicate threads, and re- 
main a long time on the tree — sometimes all winter — and when 
contrasted with the snow around them, render the tree singularly 
brilliant. 

The Purple-flowered Euonymus, E. atropurpureum, is 
another native . variety, distinguished by its purple flowers in June 
and July, and its narrower leaves. 

The European Euonymus. E. europmis. — This species has 
a smaller leaf than our own, and, we think, is not so handsome ; 
but the difference is slight in all respects. It becomes a tree of 
larger size, sometimes attaining a height of thirty feet. 

The Broad-leaved Euonymus. E. latifoliiis. — This is the 
most beautiful in foliage of the family, with leaves considerably 
larger than the others, quite abundant, and of a fine glossy green ; 
the fruit is also larger, and of a deep red color, more showy in 
quantity, but not so brilliant in color as the American sort. The 
decaying leaves turn to a fine purplish-red, and the naked branches 
are of a pleasing reddish-green. It forms a tree from ten to twenty 
feet high. One of the finest of shrubby trees. 

The Euonymus radicans is a new variety from Japan, recom- 
mended by Thomas Meehan, Esq., as a tree of striking beauty. 

There are several new variegated-leaved varieties from Japan, 
and some dwarf species, the beauty and hardiness of which have 
not yet been sufficiently proved to call for special notice. 



THE EL^AGNUS, OLEASTER, OR WILD OLIVE. 

Elcsagnus. 

The Garden El^agnus or Oleaster. Elaagnus hortensis. — 
This is an old English garden shrub, a native of southern Europe. 
It is noted for the silvery whiteness of its foliage, and, on this ac- 
count, is often selected to plant where it is desired to attract atten- 



DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 487 

tion to a particular point, or to create variety with other trees. 
Flowers in May, quite small, pale yellow, and fragrant. Fruit red- 
dish-brown ; insipid. Height fifteen to twenty feet. Half-hardy. 

The Missouri Silver-tree. E. argejiiea. — A fastigiate small 
tree, with whitish-colored small leaves, and rather a pendulous dis- 
position of its spray. A fine specimen is growing near the Seventh 
Avenue entrance to the Central Park, in an exposed locality, which, 
in September, 1868, was fifteen feet high and eight feet broad ; and 
was quite showy by reason of the whiteness of its foliage and its 
graceful growth. Flowers small, yellow, in July and August. 
Fruit about the size of a small cherry ; the flesh dry and mealy, 
but eatable. 

The Japan Oleaster, E. japonica, and the small-flowered E. 
paniflorus, are shrubs noted for their whitish foliage. 



THE FOTHERGILLA. Fothergilla alnifolia. 

A dense-foliaged, low, and very spreading native shrub, which 
thrives only in partial shade and moisture, and requires some pro- 
tection at the north. Leaves obovate, bluntly serrated, and downy 
beneath. Flowers small, white, in terminal spikes, sweet-scented 
and appear before the leaves in April and May. 



THE FORSYTHIA. Forsythia viridissima. 

A large spreading shrub, of brilliant green foliage, and strag- 
gling willow-like sprouts and growth. Its luxuriance, the earliness 
of its bright small yellow flowers, and the fact that it is a compara- 
tively new thing, has given this shrub a reputation that it may not 
sustain. It is a little tender north of New York, and when young 
and growing rapidly the summer growth should be headed back, 
about the first of October, one-half its length. At the west end of 
Lake Erie it kills back winters in consequence' of continuing its 
growth too late in autumn. Its leaves hang on late in the fall 
almost with the persistency of an evergreen. Height and breadth 



DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 



seven to ten feet. It does not, at the north, grow into a good form 
to stand alone, and should, therefore, be grown among other shrubs. 



THE HAZEL AND FILBERT. Corylus. 

Our common bush hazel can hardly be unknown to any persons 
in this country ; as it grows wild in all sections, forming copses from 
four to seven feet high in new clearings and by the sides of fences, 
wherever the ground is warm and rich. Its nut is the most deli- 
cate of all native nuts, and quite equal in flavor, though inferior in 
size, to the Spanish filbert. Where squirrels abound it is difficult 
to preserve the nuts, as the nimble animals usually gather them the 
moment they are fit, and lay them by for winter use ; while to pluck 
them before the husk is brown injures their flavor and plumpness. 
The bushes in foliage resemble young elms so closely that they are 
frequently dug for them. The green-fringed husk of the nut is 
quite ornamental, and, if rare, would be considered a great curi- 
osity. As it is, we would prefer the hazel bush, as an ornamental 
copse, to quite a number of foreign shrubs grown in our nurseries. 
It does best in masses, and in the dry rich soil of cultivated grounds 
it would, doubtless, give a grateful return of vigorous growth and 
picturesque fruit, to repay all extra attentions. Some of the pretti- 
est examples of shrubbery vistas we have ever seen were on cow- 
paths (followed when a boy) winding between clumps of luxuriant 
hazel, and among exquisite little thorn trees, elegantly trimmed by 
browsing sheep and cattle : — not " tangled wild-woods " either — ^but 
with velvet lawn, and all the rounded and cultivated beauty essen- 
tial to the neighborhood of a dwelling-house. 

The following are varieties of hazels and filberts : Corylus amer- 
icana is the common American hazel-nut above described. C. 
avellana is the common European hazel or filbert. The varieties 
of this are numerous ; some of them are cultivated for their beauty 
alone, and others for their superior nuts. 

The Purple-leaved Filbert, C. a. picrpui-ea, has leaves of a 
dark red or purple, and is one of the most showy of colored-leaved 
shrubs. Its sporting character is so vigorous that it is said to im- 



DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 489 

part its color to the leaves of the stock on which it is grafted ! It 
might be grafted or budded on strong canes of our native hazel. 

The C. a. crispa is one of the finest filberts, and also remarkable 
for the length and showiness of its fringed nut-husks. The C. a. 
tennis, C. a. tubulosa, C. a. barcelonensis, are all fine large varieties 
of filberts, and somewhat larger shrubs than our native hazel. 

The Constantinople Hazel, C. coliima, is the largest of the 
species, making a tree fifty to sixty feet high. 



THE HYDRANGEA. Hydrangea. 

Herbaceous shrubs, mostly natives of this country, some of 
which have globular masses of white and pink-white flowers, and 
generally fine masses of large, rather heart-shaped leaves, of a 
pleasing light-green color. Generally half-hardy. 

The Garden Hydrangea. H. hortensis. — This is the common 
bushy plant grown in boxes and seen in or near almost every New 
England village porch. It is well worthy of its popularity. Few 
plants better repay attention. It forms a globular bush, from two 
to four feet in diameter, densely furnished with large leaves, and 
covered all summer with light pink blossoms, in massy clusters, 
frequently six inches in diameter. The flowers change their color 
in an unusual manner with the treatment they receive, sometimes 
changing to blue and purple ; a mixture of a few iron-filings with 
the soil producing the former color. It is best to grow it in boxes, 
to be wintered in dry cellars, as it is too tender to be trusted in the 
open ground in the northern States. It is one of the most beauti- 
ful outdoor box-plants, of easy culture, and as it does best in the 
shade, is peculiarly adapted to positions near walks in the shadows 
of trees. It requires rich, warm, and always moist soil. 

The Silver-striped Leaved, and the Golden-striped Leaved 
Hydrangeas, have only the peculiarities which their names import. 

The Oak-leaved Hydrangea. H. quercifolia. — A hardier 
shrub than the hortensis, and more woody ; of bushy habit. It be- 
comes a massive-looking shrub, six feet high. The leaves are 
large, rough, lobed like an oak, and hairy or downy beneath. The 



490 DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 

flowers, which are white, and about one and a half inches in diame- 
ter, are borne in clusters from four to six inches long, from June to 
September. It requires a sheltered situation, and a moist soil. In 
autumn the leaves turn to a fine deep-red color. 

The Heart-leaved Hydrangea, H. cordata, has large foliage 
and small flowers : the tree-like, H. arbarescetis, is a native of Penn- 
sylvania and Virginia ; the bush, leaf, and flower being smaller 
than the preceding : the snowy-leaved, or hoary-leaved, H. canescens, 
is a low shrub of the southern States, with flowers larger than the 
preceding, and leaves white and velvety beneath. The involucrata 
is said to be a hardy and unusually erect variety. 

The Japan Hydrangea. H. deutziafolia {H. paniculata gran- 
dlfiord). — This variety, but recently introduced into this country, 
bids fair to be quite the most valuable of the hydrangeas. It seems 
to be hardy in the Central Park, with straw protection in winter, and 
there forms magnificent masses of fine leaves and flowers, bloom- 
ing profusely from the first of August until frosts. The leaves are 
large, abundant, and of a dark bright glossy green color. The 
flowers are larger than those of the old box-hydrangea, of a creamy- 
white color, and waxy texture. They grow in immense spikes six 
inches or more long, and of equal breadth, and turn to a purplish- 
pink color as the season advances. Height and breadth of bush 
from three to five feet. 



THE HYPERICUM, OR ST. JOHNSWORT. Hypericum. 

Low sub-evergreen shrubs suitable for shady places. The va- 
rieties H. prolificum and H. kalmianum are broad, compact, low 
shrubs, two to three feet high, with small elliptical leaves, and 
corymbs of small yellow flowers in July and August, and are highly 
valued (especially the latter) for their neat compact growth and the 
warm tone of the foliage. The H. calydniim is an evergreen trail- 
ing species with much larger leaves and flowers, the latter of a 
bright-golden color, which is greatly esteemed for planting among 
rocks and trees in very shady places. The root creeps and stoles 
so that the plant extends itself rapidly over the surface. 



DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 491 



THE JASMINE. Jasminum. 

The name jasmine has been so interwoven with poetical asso- 
ciations that it carries with it an aroma of literature as well as of 
flowers. It is time-honored as one of the emblems of bridal 
adornment, the blossoms being used to deck the hair. Moore 
alludes to this custom in the oriental story of Lalla Rookh : 

"And brides as delicate and fair 
As the white jasmine flowers they wear. 
Hath Yemen, in her blissful clime." 

Cowper describes both the leaves and blossoms in the following" 
lines : 

" The deep dark green of whose unvarnished leaf 
Makes more conspicuous and illumes the more, 
The bright profusion of her scattered stars." 

The family embraces vines, shrubs, and trees, evergreen and 
deciduous j some of them hot-house plants, most of them half- 
hardy vines, and a few hardy ones. The fragrance of their blos- 
soms is their most charming trait. Most of the species will not 
bear the winters in our country. Their most beautiful use is for 
covering low walls or arbors in protected situations. 

The Common Jasmine, y. officinale, may be grown as a shrub, 
but is really a noble climber in congenial climates ; as in its native 
wilds in Asia, Georgia, and the mountains of Caucasus, it grows 
forty to fifty feet in height, and attains similar dimensions in our 
southern States. Its young wood is of a fine deep-green color, 
and being quite abundant, gives the vine in winter the appearance 
of an evergreen plant. Leaves pinnate, five to seven leaflets. 
Flowers white, in June, July, and August, and exceedingly fragrant. 
This jasmine requires winter protection in the northern States. 

The Jasmine nudiflorujn is a sort recently introduced ; with 
fragrant yellow blossoms from May to October. Mr. Meehan re- 
commends that it " be trained to a stiff stake and pruned twice a 
year ; it then grows very compact, and will support itself after the 
stake rots away, and makes one of the prettiest shrubbery bushes 
imaginable." Requires protection in winter. 



492 DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 

These are the only jasmines sufficiently hardy to be recom- 
mended for out-door culture. 

The Jasmine of Goa, y. odoratissimum, is a yellow-flowered 
green-house variety, native of Madeira, of exquisite fragrance ; to 
which the charming lines of Moore apply — 

" 'Twas midnight ; — through the lattice, viTeathed 
With woodbine, many a perfume breathed, 
From plants that wake when others sleep, 
From timid jasmine buds, that keep 
Their odor to themselves all day, 
But, when the sunlight dies away, 
Let the delicious secret out 
To every breeze that roams about." 

It may be kept through the winter in a pit or green-house, and 
planted out as a pot-shrub in summer, in corners near windows, or 
other places where its evening fragrance can be best enjoyed. 

Loudon relates an extraordinary fact concerning the jasmine, 
viz : " When it is desired to turn a green-leaved jasmine into a 
variegated one, a single bud of either the silver-leaved, or the 
golden-leaved, inserted in it, will communicate its variegation to 
every part of the plant, even to suckers thrown up by the roots ! " 



THE JAPAN KERRIA, OR GLOBE FLOWER. 

Kerria japonica. 

A low shrub bearing yellow flowers from March to June, and 
sometimes all summer. Leaves deeply and unequally serrated. 
The bark of the twigs is a fine green color. The double-flowered 
variety, K. j. flore pleiia, is not quite hardy. Height three to five 
feet. 

THE PCEONY. Pxonia. 

The Tree-Pceony, P. moutan, is among the most showy of low 
garden shrubs, and in dry soils sufficiently hardy to be planted 
throughout the States ; though considerable protection in the 



DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 493 

northern States improves its size and beauty. It attains a height 
of from five to eight feet in ten years, if properly taken care of 
The two most common varieties are the Chinese double-blush, 
F. banksii, with pale, rose-colored flowers, from four to six inches 
in diameter, very double and fragrant, and much the finest of all ; 
and the poppy-flowered, P. papaveracea, with pale, blush flowers, 
less double than the preceding. A large number of varieties are 
produced in the nurseries, some of which may be improvements on 
the parent species. They range through many colors, from white 
and variegated, to bright red, violet and purple. The following are 
a few of the best : 

P. alba variegata, white petals, purplish centre, very double. 

P. gumpperii, "bright rosy pink, very large and full; plant 
vigorous ; one of the very best in all respects." (E. & B.) 

P. kochlerii, dark rose-color ; very large and vigorous. 

P. maxi?na pletia, rosy carmine, very double and compact. 

P. rosea superba plena, dark rosy violet, 

P. schultzii, carmine, shaded with rosy lilac; fine form, and 
fragrant. 

P. incarnata flore plena, pure white, with violet centre ; 
fragrant. 



THE PRIVET. Ligustrum. 

The Common Privet, Ligustrum vulgaris, is one of the com- 
monest of old garden shrubs, and has been greatly valued for de- 
ciduous hedges, for which its fastigiate form, ready growth from 
cuttings, its twiggy and healthy habit, well adapt it. The leaves 
are small, appear early, and hang so late that in England it is 
called a sub-evergreen. The flowers are small, white, on terminal 
spikes, which cover the shrub in June and July. Berries a dark 
purple. Growing as a shrub, it forms a globular bush of rather 
dull green color, and from seven to ten feet high. No shrub bears 
clipping better, or is more easily shaped into hedges, screens, or 
other desirable forms. Yet, for such purposes, it does not seem to 
us so desirable as the fine arbor-vitaes and the hemlock. It has, 



494 DECIDUOUS TREES. 

however, the valuable quality of flourishing in the shade and drip 
of trees. It needs a strong soil. 

The Evergreen Italian Privet, Z. sempivirens, is an im- 
proved variety, more valuable where hardy. 

The Gold-striped and Silver-striped Privets, L. foleis 
aiireis and argenteis, are considered by some " pretty and desirable 
mingled with the common privet." 

The Oval-leaved Privet, L. ovalifoliiim, is a variety with 
larger leaves and stronger growth than the common, which we 
have seen formed into a superb hedge ten feet high, at the resi- 
dence of Alfred Cope, Esq., Germantown, Pa. . 

There are numerous varieties named from small differences in 
forms of leaves and fruit, which it is not necessary to enumerate. 

The Waxy-leaved Privet, Z. liuidum, is a species recently 
introduced, and now growing with great beauty in the Central 
Park. It is a native of China, where it forms a low sub-ever- 
green tree, twenty feet in height. The leaves are much larger, 
brighter-colored, and more glossy than those of the common privet. 
Z. /. floribuJidiim is its finest variety. 

The Spike-flowered Privet, Z. spicatum, is a tender species 
from Nepal, with large pointed elliptic leaves, and larger spikes of 
flowers ; six to eight feet high. 

The California Privet, Z. califorjiica. — This species, re- 
cently introduced, has a leaf of such remarkable beauty, that, if the 
shrub proves hardy, it will be very popular and in great demand. 
The leaf is considerably larger than that of the common privet, of 
a very dark waxy-green on the upper surface, a purplish tinge 
about the edges, and the under surface pea-green. The growth 
of young plants is about the same as that of the common privet, 
but from the greater size of the leaves, their thicker texture, and 
brilliant glossiness, they have a ranker appearance. The leaves 
have a peculiar veining, that adds to their beauty. Mr. J. R. 
Strumpe, of the Parsons' nursery, believes that it will prove hardy. 
What size it attains in California we have not learned. We fear 
that the thick waxy foliage of this beautiful species indicates a 
tropical nature that may not be acclimated in most parts of the 
northern States. 



DECIDUOUS SHBUBS. 495 



PTELEA OR SHRUBBY TREFOIL. Ftelea trifoliata. 

This is a thin wild shrub, which can be trained into a miniature 
tree six to ten feet high. Leaves of three ovate acute leaflets, on 
long stalks ; they turn to a clear yellow in autumn. Fruit winged, 
and in clusters, like those of the Halesia tetraptera, Fig. 143. 



THE QUINCE. Cydonia. 

The Common Orange Quince, Cydo7iia vulgaris, is sometimes 
one of the prettiest of shrubby trees. But it is so commonly seen 
crowded into some corner of 
the garden, or neglected grassy ^'° ^^''■• 

ground, that the idea of its being 
classed with favor among orna- 
mental trees for small grounds will 
seem to some persons almost ludi- 
crous. Yet we have seen young 
quince trees loaded with large 
white blossoms, slightly tinged 

with pink, standing near masses of the finest varieties of lilacs, and 
in full view of blossoming magnolias, horse-chestnuts, and apple 
trees, and though lowly and shrubby compared with them, it was 
yet not inferior to any in the beautiful profusion of its bloom, and 
the pleasing setting that its polished young leaves make for their 
flowers. Fig. 164 is a sketch of a pretty young quince tree of this 
sort. When grown in the moist rich ground which it requires, the 
foliage is always fine, and its low broad form is well adapted to 
gardenesque grounds. Its great golden fruit in autumn is among 
the most showy of fruits while hanging on the tree, as well as the 
most fragrant of native conserves. It grows quickly to the height 
of six or eight feet, and afterwards gains more in breadth than 
height, so that in ten or twelve years it forms a tree about eight or 
ten feet high, and twelve or fifteen feet diameter of head. It is 
best grown with a single stem, and allowed to branch about two 




496 DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 

feet above the ground. If all suckers are kept down, the head will 
usually grow to a good form without pruning. The branches are 
of crooked, rambling growth, and the tree is not a pleasing one in 
winter. The common orange quince is the best variety. It grows 
readily from cuttings. 

The China Quince Tree. C. sinensis. — This differs from the pre- 
ceding in having serrated instead of smooth-edged leaves, and rose- 
colored flowers. Its fruit is green, egg-shaped, and of little value. 

The Japan Quince. C. jfaponica. — This variety is almost too 
well known to need description. Unlike its fruit-bearing relative, 
the C. vulgaris, this later importation has been planted as it de- 
serves to be. It is a low straggling thorny biish, and grows from 
five to eight feet in height and breadth. Its large bright-scarlet 
flowers are the earliest showy blossoms of the shrubbery ; appear- 
ing with those of the red-bud and the white-flowered dogwood. 
On thrifty bushes which have been well cut back, the blossoms 
cover the branches with a blaze of bloom. Its leaves are a glossy- 
green, appear early, and keep their color late. A rich soil, moist 
or dry, is essential to it. When growing thriftily its straggling shoots 
should be headed back twice a year, in June and October, to 
thicken its foliage and bring the flower-buds, which .are formed at 
the base of the annual growth, on the outside of the bush at the 
blooming season. 

Among the sub-varieties of Japan quince are the following: 
The C.j. umbellicata, flowers a brilliant rose-color. Fruit orange- 
colored and very showy. It forms a large shrub, and is considered 
by some growers the finest variety. The Blush Japan quince, C._/'. 
alba, large pale-blush flowers ; the Double-Flowering Scarlet, C. J. 
flore plena ; the Dark Crimson, C. j. atrosanguinea ; the Orange 
Scarlet, C. J. aurantiaca ; and the mallardie, with white flowers and 
rosy crimson centre. Nearly all are distinguished by w^hat their 
names imply. 

Were the Japan quince not somewhat difficult to propagate, it 
would be a most desirable low hedge-plant. Its thorns are de- 
cidedly quick to repel aggression, its leaves are bright and glossy 
from early spring to late in autumn, and its blossoms are unequalled 
in brilliancy, in their season, by any other hedge-plant. 



DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 



497 



THE ROSE. Hosa. 



Fig. 161;. 




Du Hamel observes that " Nature 
appears scarcely to have placed any 
limit between the different species of 
"the rose ; and, if it is already very 
difficult to define the wild species, 
which have not yet been modified by 
culture, it is almost impossible to 
refer to their original type the numer- 
ous varieties which culture has made 
in the flowers of species already so 
nearly resembling each other." To 
the ordinary amateur the great num- 
ber of divisions among cultivated 
roses into classes and sub-classes, 
by which professional florists en- 
deavor to facilitate a knowledge of 
the different sorts of roses, some- 
times serves rather to make the 

confusion worse confounded. The distinctions which seem simple 
enough, and quite necessary to professional florists, who have exam- 
ples of all sorts constantly before their eyes, is a bewildering mass 
of floral lore, quite embarrassing to the amateurs for whom one 
or two dozen of the best varieties of roses will do as well as a 
thousand. The author of a recent horticultural work, after enumer- 
ating we know not how many classes of roses, closes the chapter 
by condensing the results of his experience into a *' select list " 
of upwards of two hundred varieties ! A generosity scarcely ex- 
ceeded by the nursery catalogues. 

A plan now adopted by many nurserymen, and recommended 
by Francis Parkman in his excellent treatise entitled "The Book 
of Roses," is to arrange roses in two great divisions, viz : the first 
division embracing all roses, whether hardy or tender, which bloom 
in June, and not afterwards ; the second division embracing all 
which bloom more than once in a season. 
32 



498 DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 



Division I. — Hardy June Roses. 

Under this head are the following sub-divisions or classes given 
nearly in the order commonly adopted in late nursery catalogues. 

Class I. Hybrid China Roses. — These are the hardy crosses 
which long cultivation has produced between the European June 
roses of various families and the true China roses. They are mostly 
free growers, with long flexible shoots ; many of them well adapted 
for pillars or trellises, though of less rank growth than the wild 
climbers. The fine old crimson rose, known as George the Fourth, 
is one of the finest of this class. The following six are among the 
most desirable varieties. Those marked with a {F) are the tallest 
growers, and may be used for post-roses. The descriptions refer to 
the flowers. 

1. Bizarre de la China. — Crimson purple, globular and double. 

2. Charles Duval. — Deep rose, large, and well formed. 

3. Che7iedolle {P). — Brilliant light crimson, large, double, and 
fragrant. 

4. George the FoiiJ'th (F). — Deep velvety crimson, and dark 
glossy foliage. 

5. Za Toicrterelle {F). — Dove colored, and well formed. 

6. Madame Flantier. — Pure white, blooms in great clusters. 
The best white. 

Class II. Hybrid Provence, Damask, and French Roses. — 
The old cabbage or hundred-leaved rose is the type of the Provence 
roses, which are noted for fragrance and globular forms. The 
damask roses are of shades from white to the deepest crimson. 
Those which of late years are known as French or Galilean roses 
are of stiff erect growth, and the foliage is rough and hard, and of 
a lighter green than other roses. On the other hand, the minia- 
ture roses long known as Burgundy roses, and noted for their dwarf 
habit, in all respects are also hybrids of this class. The following 
half dozen are among the choicest of all these sorts, but do not in- 
clude the Burgundys : 



DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 499 

T. Blanche Fleiir. — Pure white, very double, in clusters, early 
and profuse. Low bush. 

2. Double Margined Hep. — Creamy white, edged with purplish- 
red ; very large. 

3. Double White Sweet Briar. — Pale blush, nearly white, very 
sweet. 

4. George Vibert. — Striped red and white. 

5. Madame Hardy. — White, full, and large. 

6. Rivers Superb Tuscany. — Velvety crimson. 

Class III. Moss Roses. — Six choice varieties are subjoined. 

1. Common Blush. — Light pink, large j grows freely, and blooms 
profusely. 

2. Baron de Wassenaer. — Bright pink, large; flowers in clusters. 
Vigorous. 

3. Countess of Murinais, — White, large, and double ; in clusters. 
Vigorous. 

4. Crested Brovince. — Rose-colored ; calyx curiously moss- 
fringed. 

5. Lanei. Rosy crimson, tinted with purple, large and full. 

6. Brincess Adelaide. — Light rose, very large. Growth very 
vigorous, and adapted to be grown as a post-rose. 

Class IV. Climbing Roses. — This class embraces the Prairie, 
BouRSAULT, and Ayrshire roses, which are hardy ; and the Mul- 
TiFLORA and Evergreen roses, which require protection in the 
northern and middle States. 

The Prairie Roses, so called, are supposed to be hybrids be- 
tween the common wild single-flowered pale-pink climbing rose of 
our woods, and old garden varieties. But there is little resemblance 
between what are now known as prairie roses and this parent from 
which they claim descent. The wild variety blooms later than any 
of the others, and is always single. The Queen of the Brairies is a 
very double rose, light red, and a vigorous grower. The Baltimore 
Belle is a blush white, very double, and a profuse bloomer, but not 
quite hardy in exposed situations. These are the best varieties of 
the prairie roses. 



500 DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 

The Boursault is the common long smooth-branched climber, 
with reddish wood, few thorns, and semi-double crimson flowers in 
clusters. One of the most vigorous growers and profuse bloomers. 
The new variety, known as the Blush Boursault, is more showy. 

The Ayrshire Roses are varieties of the wild field roses of Eng- 
land and Scotland, and have a slenderer but not shorter growth 
than the vigorous American climbers, and creep or trail rather 
more than our natives. BenneWs Seedling, which has a pure white 
flower, and the Qiieeti of Ayrshire, a dark purplish-crimson flower, 
are the best sorts. They are best adapted to cover fences, chains, 
low trellises, or banks of earth, their natural habit being like that 
of the trailing blackberry, to keep close to the ground. 

The Multiflora Roses are seedlings from China roses, and 
require protection at the north. The De la Grifferaie and Eugelie 
Greuille, or Seven Sisters, are varieties advertised in northern nur- 
series ; the former with rosy purple flowers, and the latter with 
flowers varying from blush to crimson. The latter is nearly hardy. 

The Evergreen Roses, not being perfectly hardy, do not fairly 
come into this division, but as they are June roses, they do not 
belong with the second division, and are therefore referred to here. 
They are natives of the borders of the Mediterranean, and in the 
wild state single. Beautiful double varieties are now grown, but 
principally in green-houses. The Felicite Perpetuee is one of the 
best, and may be grown at the north with slight protection. 

Class V. Yellow Austrian Roses. — This class has few vari- 
eties, and is represented by what are generally known as the Per- 
sian Yellow and Harrison's Yellow, beautiful double yellow roses, 
growing on tall delicate-leaved, and not very robust, bushes ; and 
by the single yellow rose, known as the Austrian Yellow, which has 
a still more delicate or weakly growth. These roses are among the 
earliest to bloom. The single roses are noted for their disagree- 
able odor. 

Class VI. Wild Bush Roses. — In the opening remarks on the 
rose a few of these have been referred to. As they are little grown 
in nurseries, and inferior to cultivated sorts, it is needless to enumer- 



DECIDUOUS SHBUBS. 501 

ate them; and though they form very pleasing clumps when 
growing wild, it is not certain that they could be made so beautiful 
even for that purpose alone as selected cultivated sorts. What are 
known as the Scotch roses are valuable only for the extreme easi- 
ness of their flowers. Their growth is slender, stiff, and very thorny, 
and they send up innumerable suckers. The flowers are small' 
semi-double, and numerous. 



Division II.— Hybrid Perpetual Roses which Bloom More 
THAN Once each Season. 

This division embraces classes of roses that differ widely in 
many respects. Some flower but twice, others are in almost con- 
stant bloom till late in autumn. Some are quite hardy, others half- 
hardy, others, among the Noisette, China, and tea roses, are tender 
house-plants, though many of these may be wintered out with care- 
ful protection. The China and tea roses are the original perpetuals, 
and all the other classes have been created by hybridizing with one 
or another of the numerous species of June roses, and "breeding 
in-and-in " with these crosses to produce all the varieties now in 
cultivation. All are hybrid perpetuals; but those which show 
some resemblance to the families with which they are crossed are 
separated into classes as follows : 

Class I. Perpetual Moss Roses.— The name signifies their 
character. The following are good sorts, but are not so mossy as 
the parent species, blooming in June : 

1. Alfred de Dabnas, light blush, in clusters ; blooms freely. 

2. Eugenie Guinoiseau, deep cherry ; large, and quite mossy. 

3. Madame Edward Ory, rosy carmine, large ; not vigorous. 

4. Fompone, dark crimson ; blooms freely in autumn. 

5. Perpetual White, white ; large clusters of buds and flowers. 

6. Salet, bright rose ; quite mossy ; a free grower and bloomer. 



Class II. Hybrid Perpetuals or Remontants. — Though all 
the roses of this division are really hybrid perpetuals, our nursery- 



502 DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 

men have classified certain hardy sorts under this title, which is 
retained on that account, to conform to usage. The class embraces 
crosses between a great number of species, the varieties differing 
greatly in vigor of growth and foliage, and in the character of their 
flowers. Some bloom but twice, others show only an occasional 
blossom after June, and some bloom Constantly. The fine old 
Madame Laffay, and the magnificent newer General ^acque^Jtinot, 
belong to this class. The following selection of eleven are among 
the finest : 

1. Baron Prevost. — Deep rose, large and full ; a very vigorous 
grower, abundant bloomer, and perfectly hardy. 

2. Caroline de Sansal. — Clear delicate light blush, very large 
and full ; foliage luxuriant and growth vigorous. 

3. Gejieral Washington. — Brilliant red, very large; "superb in 
autumn." 

4. General yacqueminot. — Crimson to scarlet,, velvety, and of 
great size. Every way superb. 

5. Madame Laffay. —'R.osy crimson, large, and full. 

6. Madame Boutin. — Cherry rose, large, and full; foliage very 
fine. 

7. Louise Darzens. — Pure white, medium size.; blooms in clus- 
ters, and constantly. 

8. Madame Alfred de Rougemont. — Pure white, large, and a 
profuse bloomer. 

9. Due de Cazes. — Purplish crimson. 

10. yohn Hopper. — Deep rose, large, and full. 

11. Mrs. Elliott (P.). — Rosy purple, large, full, and sweet. 
Suitable for a post-rose. 

Class III. Bourbon Roses. — A race of which Parkman re- 
marks — " Of sweeter savor in horticulture than in history." They 
are not quite hardy, and have less vigor of growth than the pre- 
ceding class, but are mostly rich in glossy foliage, of stronger 
growth than the tea and Noisette roses, and sufficiently robust to 
remain out throughout the winter with proper protection. Growth 
from two to six feet. The following eight are favorite vari- 
eties : 



DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 503 

1. Duchess de Thuringen. — Light blush, free bloomer; vio-- 
ordus. 

2. Hermosa. — Flesh color, large, and full, blooms profusely. 
Good grower. 

3. George Peabody. — Dark velvety crimson. 

4. Sir Joseph Pax^on.— Bright rose, shaded with crimson, 
large and full. Growth very vigorous. 

5. Souvenir de la Malniaison. — Pale flesh ; very large and full. 
Once considered the most splendid rose of its class. 

6. Souvenir de r Exposition. — Dark crimson ; free bloomer. 

7. Marquise Balbiano. — Bright rose, in clusters ; fragrant. 

8. Pierre de St. Cyr (P.).— Pale rose, large and full. 

Class IV. Noisette, Tea, and China Roses.— Of these 
the Noisettes and the tea-roses are the stronger growers, some of 
them forming quite fine bushes of secondary size. The foliage is 
smooth and fine, and the flowers of the Noisettes are borne in clus- 
ters. All are tender, but many of them may be left in the ground 
through the winter if skillfully covered in the fall. The tea roses 
are noted for the delicacy of their colors, and their delicious 
fragrance. The China (or Bengal) roses are the most delicate in 
growth, and the least hardy; and require to be removed to a 
green-house, plant-room, or cellar, after the . first strong frosts. 

The following is a select list of good varieties of Noisette and 
tea roses : 

1. Ai77iee Vibert. — Pure wdiite, small cupped flowers, in clus- 
ters. Bush small and low. One of the hardiest. 

2. Carolifte Martiiesse. — White, with creamy centre, small per- 
fect flowers, and a profuse bloomer. 

3. Solfaterre. — Saffron-yellow, fragrant and fine. 

4. Celine Forester. — Pale yellow, large, full and hardy. 

5. Isabella Gray. — The deepest yellow. 

6. jFane Hardy. Golden yellow, very double, free bloomer, 
and rich foliage. 

7. Laniarque. — Pale lemon-yellow, very large flowers. 

8. Marechal Niel.—Dee^ yellow, very large, full, and fra- 
grant. New, and of distinguished beauty. 



504 DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 

Tea-scented Roses. — Eight choice varieties : 

1. Bougere. — Deep, rosy bronze, large. Vigorous plant. 

2. Fleiir de Cypress. — Bright rose, shaded with salmon. 
Strong grower and free bloomer. 

3. Glory of Dijon. — Yellow, shaded with salmon ; large and 
full. Growth vigorous. 

4. General Tartas. — Deep rose, large and double. 

5. Madame de Vatry. — Deep rose, shaded with crimson. " The 
darkest tea rose." 

6. Pauline Plantier. — ^White, tinged with yellow. 

7. Triumph de Rens. — Rosy salmon, very large ; free grower 
and bloomer. 

8. Safrano. — Buff and rose, one of the hardiest. 

China Roses. — The following is a list of eight good varieties : 

1. Agrippina. — Deep velvety crimson, small. Growth delicate, 
but blooms profusely. 

2. Archduke Charles. — Pale rose, changing to crimson ; very 
large and full. 

3. Eugene Beauharnais. — Amaranth, large and full. 

4. Imperatrice Eugenie. — Clear rose, shaded with salmon; 
large and sweet. 

5. Louis Philippe. — Dark crimson, blush centre ; large. 

6. Sanguinea. — Deep crimson, small, but a profuse and con- 
stant bloomer. 

7. Mrs. BosaJiguet. — Flesh-color, large and double. 

8. Clara Sylvain. — Pure w^hite. 

The foregoing lists embrace a very small number out of hun- 
dreds which may be named by rose-growers that are nearly or 
quite as fine, and are chosen only to facilitate a selection by per- 
sons not familiar with varieties. The best manner of arranging 
and growing rose-bushes depends very much on one's means and 
space. Where one can have but few, single plants in a walk 
border give the most pleasure, and these may be either in the 
natural bush form, or in tree form. The delicate China and tea 
roses must necessarily be in shrub form, in order to be protected 



DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 505 

or .removed in winter; and the smooth-leaved hardier hybrid 
China, either June, or perpetual, in tree form. With stout, thrifty 
stocks, it requires but little time, if one understands budding roses, 
to produce low rose trees, like the one shown in Fig. 165 ; and as 
these take up less room on the ground, and present a more gar-, 
denesque appearance, it is much the best mode of showing a 
variety of roses in a limited space, especially bordering straight 
walks ; as a number of different varieties may be grown on the 
same stem. Another beautiful mode of making good rose- 
standards for the centres of beds, is to bud upon a strong stock 
all the way up, or on its side branches, so as to make a cone or 
tower of foliage supported on one stem, but composed of several 
hardy varieties budded into it, and displaying their foliage and 
flowers from the bottom to the top. As such cones, or rose-towers, 
may easily be bound up, and protected in winter with straw or 
evergreen boughs, the finest half-hardy roses may be used on them. 
Where there is a good breadth of lawn, a variety of roses, massed 
in beds, will have the best effect. 

To produce fine roses, a deeply-drained soil, enriched to the 
highest degree, and manured annually, is essential. Those who 
wish to make a specialty of the rose, should procure Parkman's 
Book of Roses. 

Plate No. XXXI. 

The accompanying plate shows a variety of forms for rose-beds, 
some of which may be adapted to almost any place which has a 
lawn. We will suggest, briefly, the roses that will produce a good 
effect grouped in these beds : 

Bed, Fig. I. — This may have a fine tree-rose in the centre, 
budded with such hybrid perpetuals as any of the list in Division 
II, Class II, so that the head shall be a great bouquet of many- 
colored roses. At 2, 3, 4, and 5, plant from the same list those 
which will make the best variety of colors in the group, and 
keep well-rounded bushy forms. The four should be kept equal 
in height, not exceeding three feet, and the tree-rose should be 
grafted, or budded, about three or four feet from the ground. The 



506 DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 

first season, or until the bushes planted at the four figures meet, 
small half-hardy monthly roses from Class IV may be planted in 
the bays of the bed, such as the Aimee Vibert, Jatie Hardy, 
Fleur de Cypress, and General Tartas. Or the bed may be com- 
pletely filled between the larger plants first named with the old 
China roses from the last list of Class IV. 

Bed, Fig. 2, is an odd form, occasionally suitable for the inter- 
section of two walks. This one is intended to be on a walk circling 
near the inner or longest side of the bed, and to be planted with 
bush roses from Division II, as follows : at i. Baron Prevost ; at 
4, General yacqnemi7iot, with Caroline de Sansal on one side at 3, 
and Madame Boutoit on the other at 5 ; the Louise Darzetis at 6, 
and the Due de Cazes at 2. The bushes at i and 4 should be of 
stronger growth than the others, so that the outline of foliage will 
rise from the ends to the centre of the bed. 

Bed, Fig. 3. — This is a very large bed, designed for a post, 
pillar, or trellis in the centre^ At i and 2, plant Qiiem of the 
Prairies and Baltimore Belle, which bloom in June only, and at the 
opposite sides of the post (na figures on the plan) the Baron Pre- 
vost zxA Caroline de Sansal. At \\, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18, 
we would have a circle of strong-stemmed tree roses, grafted and 
budded with hardy varieties of perpetual and hardy Bourbon roses 
from Classes II and III of Division II. Between these, in the 
same circle, tea or China roses should be sunk in pots, so that all 
the ground may be covered with a mass of rose foliage. At 7, 8, 
9, and 10, plant from the classes last mentioned the most robust 
sorts, to be grown as bushes ; and at the ends 3, 4, 5, 6, plant 
Nos. 4, 5, 6, and 7, from the select list of Bourbon roses. When 
these roses are full-grown, they should cover the bed completely ; 
but until they do, the spaces may be filled with choice spreading 
cluster-flowered roses of the Noisette, tea, and China classes. 

Bed, Fig. 4. — The circle is ordinarily the best form for a rose- 
bed. This one is represented eight feet in diameter, which is 
perhaps too large for the number of plants in it, unless they be 
sorts of pretty bushy growth. The centre should have either a very 
strong rose tree, or a bush of sufficient vigor to rise above the 
roses that are planted around it. The tree, if well headed out, will 



DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 607 

be best. The surrounding circle of eight plants we would make 
Nos. I, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and lo, of our select list of hybrid per- 
petual roses. Or two sets of bushes may be planted around the 
central rose-tree ; say four, consisting of Nos. i, 2, 4, and 8 of the 
list just mentioned, planted equidistant two feet from the centre, 
with a circle of twelve or sixteen Noisette, tea or China roses around 
them. The first-named list will, however, fill the bed completely 
in two or three years. If a pillar, and climbing roses, should be 
preferred to the tree-rose for a centre, the Queen of the Frairies 
and Baltimore Belle may be used. 

Bed, Fig. 5. — This bed is supposed to be near a walk on its 
longest side, and to have a row of chioce hybrid perpetual or Bour- 
bon roses in the middle of the part parallel with the walk ; and at 
3 and 4, in the centre, a low post for some perpetual pillar roses, 
like Mrs. Elliott and Pierre de St. Cyr. 

Bed, Fig. 6. — This is a pretty form for a large bed, and very 
simple to lay out, being on a hexagonal plan, where the distance 
of each circle from the centre may measure the distance from one 
plant to another in that circle. The centre is to have a post, for, 
say the Baltimore Belle and Queen of the Prairies for June bloom, 
and Mrs. Elliott and Pierre de St. Cyr for autumn flowers. In 
the circle three feet from the centre are places for six hybrid per- 
petual or Bourbon roses of strong growth; and on the outside, 
four feet from the centre and five feet apart, six smaller and bushy 
varieties of the Noisette, tea, or China varieties. In the latter 
places (marked 9 to 14 inclusive), three sorts of the smaller and 
delicate roses last named may be planted, instead of one, so that 
each little mass or projection of the bed will form a group of low 
rose-bushes with flowers of contrasting colors. 

Bed, Fig. 7. — This should have a high compact bush in the 
centre, or post-roses, on a short support entirely concealed by the 
foliage. The Mrs. Elliott and Caroline de Sansal side by side, and 
kept together either with a hoop or with the post just suggested, 
would make a beautiful centre-bush ; and for the three ends of the 
bed strong plants of the Bourbon roses, Hermosa, Sir jfoseph Paxton, 
and Souvenir de T Exposition^ which will represent flesh color, bright 
rose, and deep crimson. If a pure white rose is desired in the 



508 DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 

place of one of these, take Louise Darzens or Madame Alfred de 
Rougemojit ; and for a yellow rose, Marechal Neil. These end 
bushes should be managed so that they will be pretty nearly equal 
in size, and about three or four feet high, while the centre one 
should be two feet higher. The first year the bed between these 
plants may be filled with trailing flowers ; but if the roses have done 
well the first year, they should cover the bed thereafter. 

Bed, Fig. 8. — A bed of this form may be appropriately filled 
out of any of the lists we have named, but perpetual roses are pref- 
erable, and we suggest for the centre at i, the Caroline de Saiisal; at 
2, Celine Forestier or jfane Hardy ; at 3, Aimee Vibert; at 4, Marechal 
Neil ; at 5, Caroline Mamies se. This will give blush-flowers in the 
centre, golden-yellow on each side, and white at the ends. Another 
selection of more decided colors may be for the centre, General 
yacqueminot^ deep crimson ; at 2, Hermosa, flesh color ; at 3, Caro- 
line Marnie'sse, white ; at 4, Madame Boutin, cherry-rose ; at 5, Jatie 
Hardy or Marechal Neil, golden-yellows This will shade the bed 
from deep crimson to white on one side and to the richest yellow 
on the other. 

Bed, Fig. 9. — This is a great bed, appropriate only where there 
is ample lawn room, and if skillfully managed is large enough to 
constitute a very respectable rose-garden. An inspection will show 
it to be arranged on an octagonal plan, with roses in straight lines 
from the centre, and in decreasing distances apart towards the out- 
side. This arrangement enables the cultivator to get at all the 
roses conveniently from the lawn, which is deeply scolloped into 
the bed between its projecting lines. The lawn might perhaps run 
to points towards the centre, and thus expose less soil to view 
between the lines of rose-bushes. This bed should have a substan- 
tial post or pillar in the centre, ten or twelve feet high, and at the foot 
of it two prairie roses, and two of the rankest climbing perpetual 
roses, say the Caroline de SaJisal and Mrs. Elliott. Four feet from 
the centre of the post, at 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12, permanent 
stakes about -five feet high should be set, and on each side of 
them pairs of strong growing roses from the hybrid perpetual list ; 
making sixteen plants of eight varieties. Each radiating line beyond 
these might approximate to one tone of color, so that whatever colors 



DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 509 

are placed at 5 and 6 may have somewhat similar shades at 13, 13, 
and 14, 14, of smaller growing sorts. At from 13 to 20 inclusive, 
next to the above, selections of the bushiest growers may be made 
from Classes I, II, and III of Division II. The outside figures of 
the same numbers represent the most vigorous roses from Classes 
III or IV of the same division. Outside of these, near the lawn, 
each of the eight projecting parts of the bed may have seven China 
and tea roses bedded out in the spring, and removed in the 
fall. Or by making the projecting parts of the beds narrower, these 
maybe dispensed with. The number of roses indicated to fill this 
bed is as follows : For the centre four ; for the first circle sixteen ; 
for the second circle eight ; for the third eight ; and around each 
of the outside ends of the lines seven pot-roses. The bed, there- 
fore, would require thirty-six permanent roots, and fifty-six pot- 
plants ; but the latter may be dispensed with. As no large bed 
like this should be laid out except by those who are either well 
versed in roses, or who employ good gardeners, it is not necessary 
to name the roses for each place in it. 

Bed, Fig. io, is too simple to require a selection named in de- 
tail, A bed of that size we would recommend to crowd full of 
noisette, tea, and China roses, the largest in the centre, although 
only three places are figured ; three bushes being enough to fill it 
if the largest kinds are selected. 

Bed, Fig. ii, is a bed supposed to be near a walk on its 
straight side, for a compact mass of low-growing Noisette, tea, and 
China roses from Class IV. 



THE CANADA RHODORA. Rhodora canadensis. 

A little mountain shrub, growing in wet places, and noticeable 
for the extreme earliness of its pale purple flowers, which bloom in 
terminal clusters, before the leaves expand, in April and May. 
Height two to three feet. A pretty companion for the flowering 
almond and the Japan quince. 



510 DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 



THE SPIR^A. Spir^a. 

It is a curious fact that this native shrub, growing wild in num- 
berless varieties all over the country, has but recently attracted 
great attention as a garden shrub. Few families of shrubs vary so 
widely in their forms, leaves, and flowers as the spiraea, and the 
species and varieties recently brought into notice are so numerous 
that we shall make no attempt to name them. The following list 
of a dozen sorts it is believed will embrace the best characteristics 
of the family, beginning with the smaller varieties : 

Spircea callosa alba. — A low, broad, compact bush, two to three 
feet high. Flowers a dull white, in corymbs three inches in diame- 
ter, from May to October and November. Foliage dense, and a 
light green color. A French seedling from the following : 

Spircea fioribimda. — A low spreading bush, two to three feet 
high. Flowers in spikes, white, changing to pale red ; July and 
August. Foliage light green, and looks well after the flowering is 
over. 

Spirma callosa fortiinii. — An upright grower, apt to get bare of 
leaves at the bottom, so as to need cutting back occasionally. 
Height three to four feet. Flowers, in superb panicles, four to six 
inches in diameter, of a bright red color; June to October. Fo- 
liage opens a dull red color, and changes to purplish-green. 

Spircea oxhnea. — A compact bush, spreading considerably 
around the root by suckers. Height three to four feet. Flowers 
in large terminal spikes, from June to October ; color bright rose 
to deep red. Foliage light green. 

Spircea trilobata. — A very broad, oblate-headed, low shrub, with 
branches spreading horizontally, and bearing flat clusters of white 
flowers in May. When out of bloom it is a massy-foliaged low bush 
of pleasing color and form. Height three to four feet, and much 
greater breadth, forming a broad flat head when growing alone. 

Spircea thunbergia. — This is a variety of the willow-leaved spi- 
raeas, with light very small willowy leaves and white blossoms, about 
the end of April. Noticeable for the extreme delicacy of its foliage 
spray. 




DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 511 

Spircea Reevesi flore plena. — A 
shrub of very graceful spreading ^'°- '°°- 

growth. The branches, on old bushes, 
assume a curved form, their tips touch- 
ing the ground. Flowers white, very 
double ; May and June. Foliage deep 
green, and not glossy. Height four to 
six feet, with a greater breadth. Fig. 
i66 shows the characteristic form of 
this variety. 

Spircea Van Houtti. — A graceful spreading shrub, with deep 
rose-colored flowers in June. Height six feet. 

Spinea prunifolia. — One of the most common and most beauti- 
ful, but apt to be undervalued, when first planted, on account of its 
apparently stiff and twiggy habit, and many suckers \ but when it 
becomes an old bush, it has quite another appearance. Then its 
long slender branches arch gracefully towards the lawn, and its 
small and very glossy oval leaves form pleasing masses of foliage 
of a fine dark green in summer, and a rich purple or crimson in 
autumn. Flowers white, in May and June. Height six to eight 
feet, and very broad at maturity if allowed room for expansion. 

Spircsa billardi. — A strong upright grower, in form like the 
althea. Flowers red, in long terminal spikes ; in bloom from June 
to October. Foliage light green. Height six to eight feet. It 
should be planted behind low full-foliaged shrubs, as it becomes 
bare near the ground. 

The Golden Snowball Spiraea, S. opulifolia aurea. — This 
variety forms a great round bush, ten to twelve feet high. Flowers 
white, in June. Foliage a yellowish-green, abundant and massy. 

White Beam-leaved Spir^a. S. ariafolia. — A strong upright 
grower, native of Vancouver's Island, distinguished for the great 
size and fragrance of its spikes of flowers, which are sometimes 
from twelve to fifteen inches in length. They are a- yellowish- white 
color, and appear in July. Height ten to twelve feet. 

The SpircBa japonicaf? ) — This is a compact dwarf, with a com- 
pound leaf of many leaflets, and long spikes of flowers projected 
be3rond the foliage. Height one to two feet. 



512 DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 



THE STUARTIA. Stiiartia. 

The Stuartia. ^. Fetitagynia. — A splendid native shrub, from 
seven to twelve feet high, found wild in the mountains of the middle 
and southern States ; long known, but only recently much planted 
in this country. Its flowers, of a creamy white, from three to four 
inches in diameter, appear in July and August. It is not quite 
hardy in the northern States, and requires a sheltered situation, and 
about the same protection as a chionanthus. It is a noble-flowering 
shrub, and well worth the care required to grow it. It does best 
in a deep, moist, sandy loam, and a shady spot. The foliage re- 
sembles that of the dogwood, and in autumn turns to a dark red- 
dish purple. There is a noble bush-tree of this species in open 
ground at Parsons' nurseries at Flushing, ten feet high, and six- 
teen feet in diameter. 

The Virginia Stuartia, S. virginica, resembles the preceding 
in general appearance, but is a smaller bush, and not quite so 
hardy. It is a fine shrub when out of blossom, and very showy 
during its blooming season, which is the same as the preceding. 

Both these varieties, where they can be well grown, are superb 
acquisitions to shrubberies. They are reported not hardy at Ro- 
chester, but do well at Flushing, L. I. Their very late period of 
bloom, and their great showiness when in flower, will render them 
favorites wherever the climate is such that they can be grown with 
certainty. 

THE STAPHYLIA. Staphylia. 

The Bladder-nut Tree. Staphylia trifolia. — A shrub or 
small tree, indigenous in moist places from Canada to South Caro- 
lina. It sends out an abundance of suckers from the base of the 
stem ; but if these are rubbed off as they appear, it forms a» 
handsome low tree. Flowers small, whitish, in May and June, 
Leaf formed of three acuminate serrate leaflets. Nuts in a 
bladdery capsule, white ; ripe in October. Height six to twelve 
feet. 



deciduous shrubs. 513 

The Pinnate-leaved Staphylia or Bladder-nut Tree. 
,5". pinnata. — A European species long known in shrubberies. 
Leaves with five small leaflets. More vigorous in habit than the 
preceding, and of such singular appearance, when loaded in autumn 
with its seed-capsu,les, as to be cultivated principally for that 
peculiarity. Like the preceding, it is a smooth-branching shrub, 
throwing up many side-suckers. Naked young wood, greenish, 
with green buds. Flowers same as the preceding sort. Height six 
to twelve feet. 



THE ST. PETERSWORT, OR WAXBERRY. 

Symphoricarpus. 

Some of this very pretty class of little shrubs are also known as 
the snowberries. All of them are nearly related to the tartarian 
honeysuckles. Low native shrubs, with small flowers of several 
colors, and small waxen berries, which hang on through a part of the 
winter. 

The White-berried, or Common Waxberry, S. racemosas, 
is a bushy shrub, with small rose-colored flowers, from July to 
September, and white, oval berries, about a half inch in length. 
The berries, hanging in ropes on the branches, are quite orna- 
mental, and much used for large winter bouquets. 

The Red-berried Waxberry, S. vulgaris, has very small 
leaves, flowers, and fruit, but the leaves appear early, and hang 
quite late, and the shrub forms one of the most perfect of minia- 
ture trees when growing quite alone ; with a breadth double its 
height, but with side-branches projected as boldly, and falling 
gracefully as those of a low, broad, weeping elm ; and all within 
the compass of three feet in height, and four or five feet in breadth. 
Flowers small, red and yellow, in August and September. Fruit 
purple ; ripe in December. 



33 




CHAPTER V. 



H 



EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 

AVING in the chapter on the Characteristics of Trees, 
pages 294 and 295, treated of the relative value of 
evergreen and deciduous trees for home embellishment, 
the reader is referred to those observations as embodying 
a comparison of the beauties and advantages of the two classes. 

In the descriptions which follow, it has been the aim to group 
families of evergreens under popular names that will give the best 
suggestion of the general characteristics of the group, and under 
one popular name, sometimes to class several distinct but allied 
genera, giving at the same time the several botanical names which 
are thus, for the convenience of readers little versed in such mat- 
ters, grouped together : and following the botanical nomenclature 
and arrangement, as far as any is attempted, of George Gordon, 
A. L. S., of England, as given in his work on the Conifercz, en- 
titled "The Pinetum." 



EVEBGBEEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 515 



THE PINES. Finus. 

The hardy pines of the temperate zone will be grouped in three 
divisions : First, those which are indigenous on the Atlantic slope 
of the United States ; second, those which are indigenous on the Pa- 
cific slope of the United States, including a few from the highlands 
of Mexico ; third, those which are indigenous in Europe and Asia. 
The latter division embraces a larger number than the others of 
species which have proved desirable for embellishment ; and from 
the fact that the most valuable of these have been in cultivation for 
many centuries, and developed many interesting varieties, they are 
rendered additionally interesting. 

Pine trees are generally distinguished from other families of 
evergreens by the greater length of their needle leaves, and the fact 
of their being grouped in two's, three's, and five's, issuing from a 
common sheath. Botanists classify them, in part, by the number 
of leaves to the sheath. 



Pines of the United States on the Atlantic Slope. 

The White Pine, Pinus strobus. — Though in one kind of 
beauty or another, separately considered, the white pine may be 
excelled by many other trees, we know of no hardy evergreen of 
the temperate zone that unites so many elements of beauty, pictur- 
esqueness and utility, as this noble native of our own forests. In 
grandeur of elevation, and in the beauty of its columnar trunk, 
regarded merely as a forest tree, it ranks among trees east of the 
Rocky Mountains as the red-wood or big-tree (sequoia) and Doug- 
lass spruce of California among the more colossal trees of the 
Pacific slope. The white pine forests of Maine, New York, and the 
northwestern States, furnish our country with more than half of all 
the wood used in its buildings. It is recorded on high authority 
that trees have been cut in Maine measuring upwards of two 
hundred feet in height. Frigate main-masts one hundred and eight 
feet in length have been made of single pieces of its timber. The 
fact that this tree is of such vast use in the. arts has caused it to be 



516 EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 



'^■fCi-i/fri ,'*rf 




PINE GROWING ON " MONTGOMERY PLACE 



BABKYTOWN, N. Y. 



regarded as merely a timber tree ; the idea of beauty being falsely 
dis-associated with things of great utility. The value of its timber 
has also deprived the country of nearly all the grand specimens 
which doubtless grew here and there in open ground a century ago, 
but are now very rare. New England owes a debt of gratitude 
to the impecunious quality of its elms, which have consequently 
been left to enrich her villages with their beauty. We had travelled 
for years through the northern States, and looked in vain to find a 
single full grown white pine which had developed from youth to 
maturity in open ground! Fig. i68 is a portrait of one of a very 
few that we have since seen. It is a magnificent specimen, ninety 
feet across the spread of its lower branches, and of equal height, 
found on the old Livingston estate, known as " Montgomery place," 
the residence of Mrs. C. L. Barton, near Barrytown on the Hudson. 
An engraving cannot do justice to the softly shaded tuftings of its 



EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 517 

fine masses of verdure, its deep shadows, or the wing-like expan- 
sion of its massive lower branches. The vertical growth on the 
left which shows like a distinct small tree behind it is really a 
sprout, issuing from a great horizontal limb forty feet from the 
trunk like a perfectly formed distinct tree, and twenty-five feet in 
height ! In an open field near the Delaware water gap in Pennsyl- 
vania is a white pine but fifty feet high, with an oblate top like a 
park oak, its branches radiating at about fifteen feet from the 
ground, and covering a space nearly seventy feet in diameter, and 
forming a head of softly-rounded masses of foliage as dense as 
those of the sugar maple. 

A pine tree recently cut in Columbia County, Pennsylvania, had 
its trunk sawed into nine logs, whose united lengths were one 
hundred and thirty-six feet ; the smallest log being eleven inches in 
diameter at the top ! Allowing four feet for the height of the stump, 
this would make one hundred and forty feet in height of heavy 
timber in the trunk. The branching above this part of the trunk 
must have made the tree from one hundred and sixty to one hun- 
dred and eighty feet in height as it stood. Imagine a tree with 
such inherent vigor expanding in an open park, and it does not 
seem unreasonable to believe that it might attain dimensions not 
inferior to the historic grandAir of the cedars of Lebanon. 

Though the white pine attains such colossal height, and occa- 
sionally great breadth, it is not so far unsuited to the requirements 
of small grounds as might be inferred. It is a manageable tree. 
When its main stem attains a height of from twelve to twenty feet 
it can be cut back, to make a more spreading tree. Its foliage is 
much more massive, and the lights and shadows bolder and more 
varied when thus treated. If it is desired to strengthen the spread- 
ing branches decidedly, it may be necessar}'- to cut out two or three 
years' growth of the " leader," so that one of the side branches will 
not turn up too readily to make itself a leader. If it is necessary 
to keep the tree within a moderate compass, it can be safely pruned 
of half its growth every year — say in June or July — and the rich 
density of its foliage will be increased by the process. This 
pruning should be done with some irregularity; — cutting-in some 
branches deeper than others, to prevent the formation of a smoothly 



518 EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 

globular head ; which form, not being in harmony with the nature of 
the tree, would do injustice to its beauty. To reduce its size and 
add to the luxuriance of its foliage without varying too much from its 
native form, and materially changing its expression, will be a pleas- 
ant study for the amateur gardener. Not only, however, is the tree 
capable of being improved in form and foliage by judicious prun- 
ing, but it is so far docile to the hand of art that it may be reduced 
even to hedge-limits, and will bear the shears or the pruning-knife 
to shape it into other artificial forms of embellishment. 

Those who have seen the white pine as exposed in its native 
forests, a bare and lofty black-barked trunk, with a monotonous 
uniformity of meagre-foliaged branches in level whorls towards 
its summit only, can with difficulty realize the graceful spread- 
ing luxuriance of the tree in rich sandy open ground. The 
foliage is a warm light-green, often with a bluish tinge. The 
leaves, five in a sheath, are from three to four inches long, slender, 
straight, soft to the touch, and delicately fragrant. They fall at the 
end of . their second summer, so that each summer the tree is 
clothed with two years' foliage, while in winter it has only the pre- 
ceding summer's leaves. The cones are from four to six inches 
long, curved, cucumber-shaped, and drooping. The bark is dark, 
smooth on young trees, and grows roftgh and darker with age. 

High winds are the greatest enemy of the white pine. Its wood 
is not so tough as that of most deciduous trees. In winter the 
foliage catches and holds the snow, which sometimes breaks the 
branches by its weight alone, but oftener by the assistance of the 
wind when they are thus loaded. Trees grown from the beginning 
in places fully exposed to the wind will be more likely to resist 
such strains, and become strong old trees, than those which have 
grown up in sheltered places, or in too rich a soil. 

A warm, sandy soil, with a clay substratum, is the one in which 
this pine is most at home, and its rate of growth (at the top) in 
such soils, is about three feet a year. In stiff clays, or in cold or 
"clammy" soils, it does poorly, and has but little beaut}^ But by 
deep drainage even these may be changed, so as to allow the 
white pine to develop handsomely. 

There are a few very pretty dwarf varieties, as follows : 



EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 519 

The Pigmy White Pine. P. strobus nana. — An exceedingly 
diminutive curiosity, having a broad, flattened form, and maturing 
at the height of one to two feet. 

The Dwarf White Pine, P. s. pumila. — A globular, bushy 
diminutive sort, with all the characteristics of the white pine, except 
that the annual growth is so short that it becomes an evergreen 
shrub only, from six to ten feet in height and breadth. 

The Compact White Pine, P. s. compacta, is so similar to 
the above, that the difference is not material when they are young ; 
but this one is said to exceed it in size at maturity. It is, un- 
doubtedly, the finest dwarf form of the species, and, we think, of 
the whole pine family. The foliage is not diminished in size, but 
only the woody growth. Height and breadth, probably, from ten 
to fifteen feet at maturity. The annual growth is from two to five 
inches. The common white pine, if cut back annually from the 
beginning, would present nearly the same appearance. 

The Snow or Silver Pine. P. nivea. — A lofty tree, quite 
similar to the white pine, and supposed to be a variety of it j but 
the leaves are somewhat shorter, and more gray or "silvery" 
below. Of little value, as distinguished from the white pine. 

The Rigid Pitch or Pond Pine. P. rigida (P. serotina). — 
Leaves in three's, three to four inches long. Cones ovate-oblong, 
in three's or four's, much shorter than the leaves, their scales ter- 
minated by a rough, thorny point. 

An irregularly-branched, rough-barked tree, with coarse, warm, 
green foliage, not very dense, and rather tufted, and borne prin- 
cipally on the outside of the tree. The branches are not numerous, 
and radiate so as to form, when growing in open ground, a broad 
oblate or flattened head, the lower branches bending down at their 
extremities. Seen at a distance, a well-grown tree is pleasing by 
virtue of the warmth of its green color, and its umbelliferous head ; 
but a ragged-limbed, rude tree, when seen near by. The bark is a 
warm brown color, broken irregularly into large patches, like the 
markings of a turtle's back. Found principally away from the 
sea-coast, from Canada to Virginia, generally in poor, sandy soils. 
Height forty to seventy feet. 



520 EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 

The Red Pine. J', rubra (P. resinosaj. Leaves in two's, four 
to five inches long, straight, stiff, yellowish-green, thickly set on the 
shoots, compressed and collected in bunches at the extremities of 
the branches. Branches rather naked, straight, open, and reddish 
brown. Very similar to the above in most respects. 

The Table Mountain Pine. JP. pwigens. — This species was 
described by Michaux more than forty years ago as one of the 
rarest and most peculiar of American pines ; yet it is little known 
away from the high mountains of the Carolinas and East Tennessee, 
in which region alone it is found. There can be little doubt of its 
hardiness in most parts of our country. A tree of more irregular 
and spreading growth than is common to American pines ; color of 
foliage a light yellowish-green ; leaves in two's, resembling those 
of the Scotch fir ; " cones top-shaped, rather large, light yellowish- 
brown, three and a half inches long, generally in whorls around the 
stem and top branches, pointing horizontally, and remaining on the 
tree for years " (Gordon). Old trees are said to exhibit a tabular 
form of top. It is strange that this tree is still almost unknown in 
nurseries and home-grounds. It seems to have peculiarities of 
form and color to make it valuable. Height forty to fifty feet. 

Short-leaved Yellow or Spruce Pine. P. mitis. — This 
variety is found all along the coast from Connecticut to the Gulf of 
Mexico, generally associated with the Jersey scrub pine on light 
poor soils. Height fifty to ninety feet. " The branches are spread- 
ing on the lower part of the trunk, but become less divergent as 
they approach the top of the tree, where they are bent towards the 
body so as to form a summit regularly pyramidal, but not spacious 
in proportion to the dimension of the trunk." This narrow conical 
form of head has given rise to the name of spruce pine. Josiah 
Hoopes, in his Book of Evergreens, mentions the changeable color 
of its leaves, "softly merging from a bright bluish-green to the 
darkest hue in alternate changes of light and shade," as a pleasing 
feature. 

The Long-leaved Yellow, or Georgia Pitch Pine. P. 



EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 521 

australis. — This is the great timber tree of the southern forests and 
pine barrens in the Carolinas and the Gulf States, and is not hardy- 
north of Richmond. It grows to sixty or seventy feet in height, with 
a slender trunk. The leaves are from eight inches to a foot or 
more in length, in three's, of a beautiful brilliant green, and collected 
in bunches at the extremities of the branches. This pine is put to 
more varied uses than any other. Its timber is close and heavy, 
and valuable both for house and ship-building. Its sap is the raw 
turpentine of commerce (from which the spirits of turpentine is 
distilled), and is gathered in the same manner as that from the sugar 
maple. Tar is made from the dead wood, which has the curious 
property, as the wood decays, of absorbing from it year after year 
all the resinous matter ; so that the heart-wood, already filled with 
resinous juice, becomes surcharged to such a degree as to double 
its weight in a year^ and continues to draw from the sap-wood till 
the latter rots off. Pine-knots, which are so largely used for torches 
and fires at the south are the butts of small branches from which 
the sap-wood has rotted off, leaving them full of rosin. 

F. australis excelsa is a variety from the northwest coast of 
America, which has proved hardy in north Germany, and ought to 
be tried in our northern States. 

The Loblolly Pine. P. tceda. — This tree is peculiar to the. 
sand-barrens of the southern States, and is the first tree to occupy 
grounds exhausted by cultivation. It rises to the height of eighty 
feet with a clear stem of forty or fifty feet without a branch, and 
above, a wide-spreading head. Not hardy, and of no value north 
of Virginia. 

The Jersey Scrub Pine. P. imps. — A low tree of rough and 
straggling growth, a native of New Jersey. Not desirable as an 
ornamental tree. 

Banks', or Gray Pine, P. banksiana. — A dwarf variety from 
the north of Canada, which does not seem to refine with cultivation, 
and is described by Sargent as "a stunted scrubby straggling 
bush." Loudon, however, considered it quite interesting on 
account of its curious manner of growth, and another writer 
(Richardson) describes it as a " handsome tree, with long spread- 



522 EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 

ing flexible branches." An odd and picturesque, but not hand- 
some, low tree. 



American Pines of the Pacific Slope. 

Among the wonders of vegetation on tiie Pacific slope, the 
variety of pines is not the least remarkable. From the maritime 
slopes, to the heights near perpetual snow, the species vary from 
colossal trees, to bushes ; but the giant forms predominate, and a 
coarse open growth is a peculiarity of most of them. It is proba- 
ble that most of those which prove hardy in the Atlantic northern 
States will be barred by the grossness of their features from use in 
decorative pleasure-grounds, except as novelties or curiosities. 

Bentham's Pine. J^. Benthmniana. — This giant pine is 
indigenous on the coast mountains of California near the bay of 
Monterey, and on some of the mountains bordering the valley of 
the Sacramento river, where it occupies the greatest elevations. 
Its growth is rank, regularly pyramidal, the branches numerous, 
spreading, and irregular, and the leaves of great length. Though 
tested but a few years on the Atlantic slope, it has generally proved 
hardy. But the success of well cared-for young plants, a few years, 
is no proof of their continued health in our climate. Besides, its 
rank loose growth may show it unfit for suburban planting, even if 
it proves (which we doubt) hardy enough. 

Parry's Pine, P. Parryana, resembles the preceding, but has 
more slender branches, and its cones are remarkable for their bright 
glossy yellow color, and their freedom from resinous matter. Said 
to be as hardy as the Benthamiana. 

Balfour's Pine. P. Balfouriana. — A species found in northern 
California, between the Shasta and Scott's valley, at an elevation 
of five to eight thousand feet, growing on volcanic debris ; said 
by Gordon to be quite hardy and very distinct. This author 
describes the branches as slender and flexible. Of its beauty or 



EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 523 

want of it we know nothing, and liave not heard of it in planted 
grounds. 

Coulter's or Sabine's Pine, F. Coulterii {P. Sabiana, P. 
macrocarpa). — This species is usually found associated with the P. 
Befithamiana, but on lower elevations. It is a lofty tree, with 
slender branches and very long foliage borne near the extremities 
of the limbs. Not a pleasing tree. 

California Mountain Pine. P. monticola. — A species closely 
resembling the white pine of the eastern States, and therefore of 
little value in a collection where the latter is growing. 

American Cembran, or Contorted-branched Pine. P. 
fiexilis. — A tree of very slow growth, indigenous on the mountains 
of northern Mexico and California, at elevations of from seven 
to fourteen thousand feet above the sea. It varies in size 
from a tree from sixty to eighty feet high near Sante Fe, to a low 
flat-top shrub, only a few feet in height, and " so compact that a 
man may walk upon it," where found at its greatest altitude above 
the sea. It forms a tree of oval outline like the European cembran 
pine, the lower branches horizontal, the upper ones ascending, and 
both large and somewhat tortuous, but very flexible ; whence its 
name. The foliage is said to resemble most that of our white pine, 
but the leaves are shorter and stouter, and the branching more irreg- 
ular. Supposed to be quite hardy. Desirable for great collections. 

Fremont's Pine. P. Fremontiana. — A small, nut-bearing tree, 
found in the upper elevations of the Sierra Nevada range, from 
five to seven thousand feet above the level of the sea. It has 
many and slender, spreading branches, which are fragrant when 
bruised. It is a very slow grower. Whether hardy and of beauty 
enough to give it value east of the Rocky Mountains is yet a matter 
of experiment. Height twenty feet. 

Hartweg's Pine. P. Hartwegii. — " A handsome tree growing 
from forty to fifty feet high, with a dense compact head of a fine 



524 EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 

dark green " (Gordon). Found in Mexico at elevations nine tliou- 
sand feet above the sea. Half-hardy, perhaps hardy. 

PiNON, OR Nut Pine. F. edulis. — A small-sized, short-leaved 
mountain pine of California, which promises to be hardy, and may 
prove interesting. Height twenty-five to forty feet. 

The Heavy Wooded Pine. P. ponderosa. — A California 
tree of great size, and coarse, rapid growth. Branches in regular 
whorls, but twisted and tortuous, rising from the trunk at an angle 
less than a right angle, drooping towards the middle and rising at 
the ends. They are quite large and rope-like, and not being well 
concealed by leaves, except near the extremities, give the tree the 
appearance of a very bony frame illy clothed. It proves perfectly 
hardy at Rochester, where EUwanger & Barry have a fine specimen 
thirty feet high and twenty feet in diameter across the branches. 
It is a curious, but far from a handsome tree. 

Jeffrey's Pine. P. Jeffreyana. — One of the lofty pines of 
northern California, where it attains a height of one hundred and 
fifty feet. Not yet thoroughly tested on the Atlantic slope. Young 
specimens look like a cross between the Austrian and Pyrenean 
pines. The leaves are longer and warmer toned than those of the 
Austrian pine. 

Lambert's Pine. P. Lambertiana. — This is another of the 
lofty trees of California. It resembles our white pine so much 
that common observers would suppose it the same. We have 
seen no quality that should cause it to be recommended for plant- 
ing ; our white pine being its equal or superior in all respects. 

The Mexican Fountain Pine. Pinus patula. — H. W. Sar- 
gent says of this : " Of all the pines which we have seen, this is 
beyond measure the most graceful and charming, not only in its 
growth and habit, but in the nature, softness, and color of its 
leaves. It resembles a beautiful, delicate green fountain of spun 
glass, and has a parti-color like shot silk, which catches the sun- 



EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 525 

light almost like a kaleidoscope. The leaves resemble the silk of 
maize, being as soft and delicate and not unlike it in color." Al- 
though it grows on the mountains of Mexico at the height of eight 
thousand to nine thousand five hundred feet above the level of the 
sea, Mr. Sargent dares not trust his beautiful specimen in open 
ground in winter, and is satisfied that it is not suited to bear our 
winters, deeming it " quite beautiful enough for pot-culture to sat- 
isfy anybody." 

Pince's Mexican Willow Pine. F. pinceana. — This is another 
of the Mexican mountain pines, found on the same elevations as 
the preceding, on a road leading to the City of Mexico. It is de- 
scribed as " a very handsome tree, with long weeping branches like 
those of the weeping willow, and easily distinguished from all other 
Mexican pines on that account." — (Gordon.) There is no proba- 
bility of its proving hardy in this country, but it may be grown in 
boxes by those having conservatories to winter it in, and serve to 
give variety to a pinetum in the open air in summer. It grows to 
sixty feet in height in its native places. 

The Chili Pine. Araucaria imbrkata. — This is not a true 
pine, but is classed with them because the name by which it is 
widely known implies that it is a pine. One of the most curious 
of all trees ; the branches growing like tortuous canes, covered 
with large pointed green scales for leaves. The color of the foliage 
is the purest of deep greens. If it could be grown successfully in 
open ground we know of no evergreen that, as a curiosity, would 
be more desirable. Of the thousands of trees planted about twenty 
years ago, and since, very few are living ; but we do not yet aban- 
don the hope of seeing it "acclimatized in the middle States. A 
few careful cultivators have succeeded in growing it. There 
are good trees in Baltimore and Washington, but it has failed at 
Newport, Flushing, and Cincinnati. If seed could be procured 
from the most southerly limit of its growth in Patagonia, and from 
the most exposed specimens, it could, perhaps, be made to sport 
into hardy varieties in this country. The seeds have been obtained 
principally from near Concepcion, in latitude 37°, near the sea. 



526 EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 

There is no snow there in winter, and the summers are about as 
hot as our own. We have seen the fuschia growing wild there ; 
but the araucaria is found growing in large quantities six degrees 
further south ; how much farther still we do not know. The In- 
dians say that it grows only on the Pacific slope of the Andes. 



Pines of Europe and Asia. 

The Austrian Pine. Finus austriaca. — A native of southern 
Europe, there holding the same rank in size and in value of timber 
as our white pine. This tree is a type of a perfect color in ever- 
green foliage. By this we do not mean to convey the impression 
that any one shade of color, however pleasing, is desirable for all 
trees, but only this : that there is a happy medium between the 
wide diversities in color that Nature charms us with, and this me- 
dium is a measure or standard of color by which we rank one tree 
as light colored, because lighter than the medium, and another 
dark, because darker than the medium. Thus all diversities of 
color are described by some ideal standard. The color of this 
pine is so clear and pure that it seems to be such a standard. 
There is a liveliness, purity, and depth in its green not surpassed 
by any tree we know of; forming a marked contrast in this respect 
to the rather grayish-green of the Scotch pine, and the lighter green 
of the white pine. It is, however, a stiffer, coarser, and more ro- 
bust tree in its growth than either of them. Its young wood is 
remarkably rough ; the branches issue in whorls almost right-angu- 
larly from the main stem, describing a slight upward curve, and on 
thrifty young trees the spaces between them, and their coarse char- 
acter, give the tree a rude appearance when seen too closely. 
When young the tree has the usual conical or pyramidal character 
of the pines, but after it reaches middle size the top begins to 
round out somewhat, and at maturity it becomes rather a round- 
headed tree, sometimes even flat-topped when old. 

The leaves of the Austrian pine are from three to five inches 
long, two (occasionally three) in a sheath, rigid, slender, and with 
prickly points. The buds are large, very long, and of a whitish 



EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 52? 

color ; by which feature alone this species can be distinguished at 
a considerable distance in the fall and spring. The annual growth 
in strong soils is about three feet a year. 

Josiah Hoopes, in his valuable Book of Evergreens, observes 
that "where the soil is retentive of moisture, and consequently be- 
comes sour and soddened, he has seen this species succeeding 
moderately well, while the white pine, planted in the same situa- 
tion, died outright." This remark gives the key to the use of the 
two species — the white pine being the most beautiful of hardy pines 
in sandy or well-drained loams, and the Austrian pine equally su- 
perior in compacter soils. Both should be fully exposed on all 
sides to the sun to develop their best beauty. 

There is much difference among seedling Austrian pines in 
their mode of growth, some being much longer jointed and more 
rigid than others. A nurseryman skilled in observing such things 
can often select trees that will display most of the beauties and 
none of the conspicuous coarse growth of the usual form. In Ell- 
wanger & Barry's specimen ground at Rochester, is a seedling of 
theirs, of such spreading habit and short growth at the top that, but 
for the brightness of its color, it might easily be mistaken by its 
form for a large dwarf mountain pine, though the masses of its long 
leaves are finer than the latter ever forms. The variety is worth 
propagating from, and we suggest that, as the species is a German 
tree, the variety take the name of the EUwanger Austrian pine. 
It is a much better form for ordinary home-grounds than the usual 
type ; but the latter, by heading back its long shoots when too 
gross, will present a similar appearance. 

There is a variegated-leaved variety not yet, we believe, grown 
in this country. 

The Scotch Pine. Pimcs sylvestris. — The Scotch pine is indi- 
genous throughout middle and northern Europe, and takes the 
same rank among pine trees in Great Britain as the oak among 
deciduous trees. It is the most useful for timber, and adapts itself 
to a greater variety of park uses than any other. Its spreading 
habit, sometimes so free in outline, and well broken by shadows as 
to rank among grand trees, and in other localities developing into 



523 EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 

smoothly-rounded and symmetrical beauty, gives it an expression 
more in harmony with deciduous trees than most evergreens, while 
in mountain regions it develops the highest degree of picturesque- 
ness. Its form is generally rounded rather than pyramidal ; the 
branches radiate more irregularly, and are not so straight and for- 
mal in their disposition as those of the white and Austrian pines, 
and the foliage therefore breaks into less stratified and more oak- 
like masses. For this reason, on young trees, the foliage appears 
to be more dense than that of the white pine. 

The dull color of its foliage is the one thing that prevents the 
Scotch pine from being the most popular of evergreens ; for it 
unites every other good quality for planting. This color varies 
from a grayish to a bluish green, not at all pleasing in itself. The 
leaves are in two's, from one and a half inches to two and a half 
inches long, twisted, rigid, standing out all around the branches. 
Cones ovate-conical, from two to three inches long. 

Whether the following variety of the Scotch pine, so highly com- 
mended, has been cultivated in our nurseries, we do not know ; but 
have supposed all the American stock of this tree to be of the com- 
mon sort above described. 

The Red-wood Scotch, or Highland Pine. P. s. horizon- 
talis. — This variety is distinguished by the horizontal and drooping 
character of its branches, which tend downward close to the trunk ; 
by the lighter and brighter bluish-green color of its leaves, and 
less rugged bark. Sir Walter Scott urged this as the true Scotch 
pine, or at least the variety which develops the noble and pictur- 
esque forms that have given the species its high rank, and that the 
common sort " is an inferior variety, a mean looking tree, but very 
prolific of seed, on which account the nursery gardeners are ena- 
bled to raise it in vast quantities." The highland pine bears com- 
paratively few seeds ; and the seed gatherers, who are only paid by 
the quantity, naturally collect only from trees the most prolific in 
cones. 

No finely-formed trees of either variety can be produced which 
do not grow from the start in open ground, exposed on all sides to 
the sun and wind. When " drawn up " by the shade or contiguity 
of other trees, it speedily forms a lank, ill-branched stem, and rarely 



EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 529 

recovers that sturdy dignity of form which it naturally assumes in 
an open exposure. 

The Pigmy Scotch or Knee Pine. F. s. nana. — A broad 
spreading dwarf that rarely exceeds three feet in height, and is very 
stunted in branches and leaves. 

The Variegated Scotch Pine, F. s. variegata, differs from the 
ordinary form only in having pale straw-colored leaves mingled 
among those of the usual color. 

The Persian Scotch Pine. F. s. latifolia. — A robust variety 
attaining great size on the mountains of Persia, which has longer 
and broader leaves than any other variety. 

The Silvery Scotch Pine. F. s. argentea. — A large tree from 
east of the Black sea, with leaves and cones both marked with a 
silvery hue. 

The Mugho Pine. Finns mugho. — A dwarf species with 
numerous ascending branches thickly covered with foliage resem- 
bling that of the Scotch pine, but of a better and warmer color. 
It is indigenous on the mountains from the Pyrenees to the 
Austrian Alps, and forms a compact, rather fastigiate, shrubby tree, 
from t^ to thirty feet in height. This species is often confounded 
with the mountain pine, F. pumilio, which indeed it greatly resem- 
bles ; but differs in having shorter leaves, and a more compact 
and tree-like growth. The branches of the F.pumilio spread more 
upon the ground, though they rise at their extremities on all parts 
of the tree to a nearly vertical direction. There are many distinct 
varieties of the mugho pine, varying in size from the knee pine, F. 
mugho nana, which rarely grows much higher than the knee, to 
the Austrian marsh mugho, F. m. uliginosa, which forms a 
pyramidal small tree. The common variety, of good nurseries, is 
the best, and forms a very pleasing miniature specimen of a pine 
tree. The foliage has a warm or yellowish-green tone in the spring. 
A great variety of forms of this species may be seen in the New 
York Central Park, usually from four to eight feet high. It is one 
of the most pleasing of shrubby evergreens for small grounds. 

There is a tree in the specimen grounds of Messrs. Parsons & 
Co., at Flushing — which is shown by Fig. 169 — that is probably one 
34 



530 



EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 



of the larger forms of mugho pine, but is entered on their catalogue 
simply as Finns tmcinata erecta. It has the deepest pure green 
color we have ever seen in an evergreen, and as there grown, in 
rich, cultivated ground, there is a velvety depth in the shadings of 
its foliage that we have never seen surpassed. May this not be the 

Fig. i6q. 




P. m. uUginosa of Gordon ? The specimen which is given in the 
engraving is about eighteen feet high, and bids fair to greatly 
exceed this height at maturity. How much of the beauty of this 
specimen depends on the unusual fertility of the soil in which it 
grows, and how much on the innate character of the species, we 
cannot tell. Possibly in a common soil, the richness of its dark 
verdure might change to sombreness. 

The Mountain Pine. Finns pumilio. — Described by Gordon 
as follows : " Leaves in two's, curved, short, stiff, thickly set on the 
branches, from two to two-and-a-half inches long, etc. Branches 
turned upwards and very numerous, forming a dense bush, with the 




EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 531 

bottom branches creeping on the ground, but growing in favorable 
situations, into a small tree twenty or thirty feet high, with a gray 
and rather smoothish bark." " At great elevations on the mountains 
it becomes merely a spreading bush creeping along the ground." 
The largest specimens we have seen are about twelve feet high 
and twenty feet in diameter, and are well described by the above 
quotation. This and the mugho pines are often confounded from 
the fact of being about equally dwarfish. The mugho has a more 
compact form and a warmer green color. 

The Swiss Stone Pine. Fi7zus cembra. — A tree of Fig. 170. 
very compact, erect, ovate-conical form, dark foliage, 
and slow growth. On account of its formality of out- 
line it has been much employed in gardening. Fig. 170 
illustrates its characteristic form. It retains its lower 
branches and foliage to a considerable age. The greatest 
peculiarity of its foliage is the dense mass of globular 
tufts of leaves which compose the entire surface of the 
tree. Its rate of growth is from six inches to one foot per year, 
and it grows to thirty or forty feet in height. 

Pyrenean Pine. Piiius pyreneaca (P. monspelliensis, P. his- 
panica). — Leaves two in a sheath, from five to seven inches long, 
fine, stiff, straight, thickly-set on the branches, of a clear green 
color. Cones two and a half inches long, conical-oblong, smooth, 
light yellow color, at right angles to the branches. "Branches 
stout, of an orange color, numerous, regular, spreading in all direc- 
tions around the stem, and well furnished with laterals " (Gordon). 

A large, wide-spreading tree, native of the most elevated forests 
of the Pyrenees. 

It is extraordinary that a tree so distinct and beautiful, and 
seemingly hardy as this, should be almost unknown in this country. 
The largest tree of the species we have seen is growing in the 
specimen grounds of Parsons & Co., Flushing, L. I. It is now 
thirty feet high, and so far assumes about the same form as a very 
spreading white pine. But its leaves are much longer than those 
of the white, Scotch, or Austrian pines, and quite as long as those 



532 EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 

of the exquisite plume-like tufts of the more delicate Pinus excelsa. 
Judging by the Parsons specimen, it is a more beautiful lawn tree 
than either the white, Scotch, or the Austrian pines, less rough- 
branched and formal than the Austrian, of a more pleasing green 
than the Scotch, and more massy-foliaged than the white. In its 
general appearance it bears the same relation to the Austrian pine 
that the Pinus excelsa does to the white pine ; that is to say, it is 
proportionally of more free and graceful foliage.* It has proved 
quite hardy in H. W. Sargent's place at Fishkill, on the Hudson. 

The Bhotan Pine. P. excelsa. — Leaves in five's, five to seven 
inches long, slender, loose, and pendulous, like plumes. Cones 
cylindrical, larger than the leaves, and pendulous. Color of foliage 
a light green. 

This queen of the pines is a native of the southerly slopes of 
the Himalayas, in latitudes 27° to 35°, and at elevations of from 
five thousand to twelve thousand feet above the sea ; where it at- 
tains a height of one hundred and fifty feet, and forms in open 
exposures a broad pyramidal mass. A traveller in the Himalayas 
says : " It is remarkable for its drooping branches, whence it is 
frequently called the ' weeping fir.' " There are yet no specimens 
in this country large enough to indicate with certainty what the 
habit of a full-grown tree will be, but the exquisite bending plumes, 
formed by each annual growth of leaves, which gleam with a silvery 
light as they are moved by the wind, are alone enough to entitle it 
to the name of the weeping pine, were it not a misnomer to apply 
the term " weeping " to a tree so radiant with sunny cheerfulness. 
As far as we can judge by the specimens now growing in this 
country, this pine spreads more in proportion to its height than the 
white pine — more like the Scotch — and retains a strength of growth 
in its lower horizontal branches, that gives promise of a nobler 



* Since the above was •written, the large trees in Parsons' specimen grounds at Flushing have 
died, while small trees in their nurseries are uninjured. Mr. J. R. Strumpe, the very skillful 
propagator of that establishment, and a careful observer, does not consider the misfortune as 
conclusive of the lack of hardiness of this species, as our own native vvhite pines occasionally 
die in the same way from some unseen cause ; but it is certainly suggestive that our climate 
may not be adapted to it. These specimens had been grown with great luxuriance in a rich 
deep soil. Perhaps excessive feeding had something to do with their premature death. 



EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 533 

form of park tree than any evergreen that will grow in this country. 
We believe the finest specimen in this country is in the Parsons 
nursery at Flushing, L. I, It is now about forty feet across the 
spread of its branches, which almost rest upon the ground. The 
form is rather globular than pyramidal ; the height not being equal 
to the breadth. Most other specimens are broad ovate-pyramidal. 
Trees not more than twelve years planted in the New York Cen- 
tral Park, are now upwards of twenty feet high, about the same 
diameter of branches, and perfect in every way. It does well at 
Rochester, N. Y., for six or eight years after planting, and then 
gives indications of weakness and disease. 

An impression gains ground that this pine is not quite hardy in 
the northern States. It is not possible to speak with certainty on 
this point. It is hardy to resist cold, but it seems to be weak, and 
to develop disease in the summer. The tree not being a native of 
our country, may not adapt itself to our varied soils or climates so 
readily as natives. But we still hope that, with care, when young, 
it may be rooted in most parts of this country, so as to grow 
healthily. 

The following remarks by H. W. Sargent in his Appendix to Down- 
ing's Landscape Gardening, are interesting : " It is universally re- 
turned to us as hardy from all parts of the country, though some- 
times suffering from sun in summer. Near Boston this is the case, 
and at Natchez, where plants have to be shaded from the summer 
sun. Mr. Barry writes from Rochester it is hardy there, but will 
not make an old tree. Our own trees at Wodenethe, sixteen and 
eighteen feet high, certainly suffer from sun, and not cold. The 
winter of 1855 and 1856, which destroyed some and damaged many 
other white pines here, and even road-side cedars, produced no 
effect upon this tree, which was entirely unprotected and uninjured; 
and yet, often in midsummer, it will become ruptured in its leading 
shoots, and die back. This may be on the principle of the frozen 
sap-blight in fruit-trees, where the damage done in winter does not 
develop the injury before the succeeding summer ; but we are more 
inclined to believe that the tree, if planted in rich holes, overgrows, 
and a sort of apoplexy supervenes. We form this theory from ob- 
serving that, where a great growth has taken place, and the leading 



534 EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 

shoot is three or four feet long, and extremely succulent, this rup- 
ture is most often the result when the sun being hot, activity of 
circulation is excessive. When, however, the exuberance of 
growth is checked by poor, thin soil, the tree grows enough, 
and seems to mature its wood — at any rate sufficient to with- 
stand what might be called determination of sap to the head; 
so that, in future, we shall always plant excelsas in poor soil." 

It is some years since the above was written. Mr. Sargent's 
finest trees of this species are now in a precarious condition. He 
has stated the symptoms of their decline, but there seems to be 
something in the inherent organism of the tree to produce these 
results, which will not be fully counteracted by the treatment 
recommended. The fact that Parsons & Co.'s superb tree — 
probably the finest in this country — is growing healthily (thus far) 
in a soil rich enough to produce the most luxuriant growth, tends to 
prove that the rank growth is not the invariable cause of the decay 
of these trees. This tree is growing in a position exposed on all 
sides to wind and sun. We have seen the commonly cultivated 
varieties of cherry, like the black tartarian and the yellow Spanish, 
growing in different soils in the same town ; in one, always forming 
short well-ripened wood, and growing into healthy trees; and in 
the other, growing excessively, and developing early disease and 
decay. A well-drained stiff clay produces the healthy trees ; and 
a warm sandy surface soil, with a springy subsoil, produces a 
plethora of growth, rupture of the bark, exudation of gum, and 
all the symptoms of a diseased condition. If a tree that succeeds 
so generally in the northern States as the cherry, is liable to the 
peculiar form of disease that distinguishes the Bhotan pine, it is a 
reason to be hopeful that the best soil and exposure for the latter 
may be determined, so as to give assurance of growing it to maturity 
in some localities. We would follow Mr, Sargent's suggestions 
implicitly as far as relates to starting the tree in a poor surface 
soil, but we would leave it exposed on all sides to the sun and 
wind from the beginning, and seek to harden its growth by giving it 
deep root in a rich dry subsoil. 

But it must be remembered that the Bhotan pine is a native of 
the latitude of the northern shore of the Gulf of Mexico ; and it is 



EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 535 

not likely that our northern sun can be too much for it, unless some 
preceding cause exists for abnormal sensibility to heat. The tree 
is found at an elevation of from six to ten thousand feet above the 
level of the sea, and "prefers the more open and cheerful aspects 
of the mountains." Such an elevation even in the tropical latitude 
of 27° to 29° insures a comparatively temperate summer climate 
and severe winters, but does not diminish greatly the blistering 
power of the sun's rays, as those know whojhave travelled on the 
glacier heights of the Alps. We cannot therefore believe that full 
exposure to the sun will of itself be found prejudicial to the health 
of the Bhotan pine, but think it much more likely that the source 
of its weakness in this country is simply a density of air quite" 
diiferent from that breathed by the tree at an elevation of six and 
ten thousand feet above the sea ; and this alone may produce what 
Mr. Sargent terms "a determination of sap to the head" — or 
vegetable apoplexy. It will therefore be a simple matter for 
patient experimenters to determine to what extent the Bhotan pine 
may be acclimated in the United States. 

We believe that much may be done by selecting seed from trees 
that exhibit the greatest vigor in localities the most exposed to sun, 
wind, and cold, at the lowest elevation where the tree flourishes. 
It is quite probable that most of the seed imported into England 
has been obtained from the great trees of the valley-forests nearest 
to the English stations. With seed from the most weather-tried 
trees, it seems reasonable to suppose that a hardier stock of this 
pine may be grown, and from among the progeny of such seed 
some specimens of sufficient hardiness to insure their healthy growth 
in the United States. We have not heard whether any experiments 
have been tried in grafting the P. excelsa on different pine stocks to 
learn the effect, if any, on the subsequent growth. By grafting 
scions from the same tree on the roots respectively of the white, 
the Austrian, and the Scotch pines, it may readily be ascertained 
whether anything can be gained in that direction. If the P. excelsa 
scion will take readily on the Austrian pine stock, very beautiful 
effects may be produced by cutting off the leader of the latter from 
eight to twelve feet above the ground, and inserting grafts of the 
former, without marring the side branches of the stock. The 



536 EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 

silvery foliage of the Bhotan pine springing from the dark cushion 
of foliage the Austrian pine would throw around it, would make a 
beautiful effect. 

The Corsican Pine. P. laricio. — A lofty tree of the most 
rapid growth and regularly pyramidal form. Though a native of 
the high lands adjacent to the Mediterranean, it is also found on 
the mountains of Caucasus, and it is considered hardy with us. 
Hoopes (Book of Evergreens) says of it : " For lawn-planting the 
Corsican pine is one of the most beautiful and available trees we 
have, and is almost invariably an attractive object in a collection. 
As it is a native of warm climates, many persons suppose it will 
prove too tender for this section (Westchester, near Philadelphia); 
but so far as we have been able to ascertain, it has given entire 
satisfaction. The long wavy leaves are of a bright green color, and 
the perfect shape of the tree has always produced a favorable 
impression with us, and we wish it were more extensively known." 

It is not quite hardy at Rochester. H. W. Sargent says of it : 
" It is quite as hardy as the Austrian all over the country, having 
somewhat the same robust habit, only a less vivid green." Its 
growth is rather more loose and open than that of the Austrian 
pine — the space between the whorls of its branches being much 
greater, and, taken altogether, it is a less pleasing tree. 

The P. I. caramanica is a variety of the Corsican pine, of less 
size, and lower, rounder, and more bushy form ; a distinct and 
valuable variety. 

The P. I. pygmcea is an extremely dwarf variety, whose branches 
trail along the ground, and bear short rigid curled leaves (Hoopes). 
Will probably be useful for grafting on other pines. 

Calabrian Pine. P. bruttia. — Leaves in two's, rarely three's, 
about nine inches long, slender, glabrous, wav)^ light green. 

A lofty tree from the mountains of Calabria, where it grows from 
four to five thousand feet above the level of the sea ; of spreading 
umbelliferous form, and fine color. The length of its leaves is one 
of its interesting features. Sargent and Hoopes both speak of it 
as having proved hardy; the former at Fishkill, N. Y., and the 



EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 537 

latter at Westchester, Pa. It is said to develop a straggling habit 
in this country, and its beauty as a tree is more doubtful than its 
hardiness. Probably suited to regions south of Washington. 

The Italian Cluster Pine. ^. pinaster.— This tree, famous 
for its gardenesque effect in Italian scener)--, has not proved hardy 
in the northern States. Though frequently grown for many years 
in open ground, it always succumbs to the climate before it arrives 
at maturity. It flourishes best on the shores of the Mediterranean 
Sea, where it rises to the height of sixty to seventy feet, and forms 
a peculiarly flattened tabular top, often represented in pictures of 
Italian scenery. 

The Italian Stone Pine. P. pinea.—This tree resembles the 
preceding, but is of lower stature and more globular form. We 
have not heard whether it has been acclimatized in the southern 
States, but it is certainly too tender for the northern. There are 
many varieties in Europe, some of which attain dimensions equal to 
the cluster pine. 

The Chinese Lace-bark Pine. P. bungeana. — A middle-sized 
tree found in the extreme north of China, which is much grown in 
pots on the island of Chusan. From the fact that it has been 
chosen for that kind of petting and dwarfing, it may be inferred 
that it has some interesting peculiarities. Reported perfectly 
hardy. 

CoREAN Seacoast Pine. P. koraiensis. — A dwarf species 
growing near the sea on the peninsula of Corea, in China, and in 
Japanese gardens, where it rarely exceeds twelve or fourteen feet in 
height. From the fact that it is valued in Chinese and Japanese 
gardens, and reported quite hardy, it is probably a handsome tree, 
and should be tested by large collectors. 



538 EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 



THE SPRUCE FIRS. Abies. 

For the reader not familiar with botany, the general distinction 
between the pines proper, and the firs, is, that the latter generally 
have shorter leaves attached all round the twigs, or occasionally on 
two sides, and the trees are more uniformly conical in form. This 
meagre mention of their differences can^ of course, convey no 
valuable idea of the obvious diversity of characteristics which they 
present to the eye. 

The firs are subdivided into two great classes, the Abies, or 
spruce firs, and the Piceas, or silver firs. 

Gordon, author of " The Pinetum," describes the Abies botani- 
cally, as follows : " Leaves solitary, four-sided, and scattered all 
round the shoots, or flat, and more or less in two rows laterally. 
Flowers, male and female on the same plant, but separate. Cones 
pendant, solitary, and terminal, with thin persistent scales." 

The White Spruce Fir. Abies alba. — This is a light-colored 
thin-foliaged tree with horizontal branches ; growing wild in the 
northern border of our country, in the Canadas, and north to the 
Arctic Sea. Height fifty feet ; diameter of the trunk seldom more 
than eighteen inches, " The bark is lighter colored than that of 
any other spruce ; the leaves are also less numerous, longer, more 
pointed, at a more open angle with the branches, and of a pale 
bluish-green " (Loudon). Cones pendulous, one and three-quarters 
to four inches long, and five-eighths to six-eighths broad. We are 
not certain of having seen this variety fairly grown in open ground. 
There is much confusion existing between this and the intermediate 
varieties of the black and red spruces. The white spruce has 
probably not had a fair trial in cultivated grounds. Growing wild 
it is certainly a thin, meagre-foliaged tree, decidedly inferior to 
the black spruce or the Norway spruce. Grown thriftily in open 
ground, perhaps it may develop some beauty. There are two 
pretty dwarfs of this species : the Abies alba nana, which forms a 
dense spreading bush three or four feet high ; and the hedge-hog 
white spruce, Abies alba mi7iima, which is much smaller — almost 
too small to be useful. 



EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 



539 




The Black and Red Spruces. Abies Fig. 171. 

nigra. A. rubra. — These beautiful na- 
tives of our northern border have been 
under a cloud, or rather in the shadow of 
a great foreign rival. The beautiful im- 
ported Norway spruce has so many good 
qualities, in addition to the prestige of 
being z. foreign tree, that no native of only 
equal merit can vie with it in popularity. 
Yet our black spruce, which more than 
any other resembles the Norway spruce, 
is in some respects a finer tree. The 
latter is the more graceful in the first ten 
years of its growth, but afterwards the 
• droop of its branches is sometimes saggy 
rather than graceful. The black spruce is more sturdy looking in 
its outline, and its branches which have a more upright direction at 
first, afterwards bear themselves in nearly horizontal, but not 
drooping masses, having apparently more strength than those of the 
Norway. This alone gives it an expression that, as far as it goes, 
makes it a superior tree. Fig. 171 is a portrait. of a specimen 
growing wild on Mt. Desert Island, on the coast of Maine, and 
gives a very correct idea of the character of the tree. Its rate of 
growth is from two to three feet a year in good soils, or about the 
same as that of the Norway spruce ; but it does not eventually 
become so lofty a tree, eighty feet being its maximum height. The 
author, in the spring of 1847, planted a Norway spruce and a black 
spruce of the bluish-green sort contiguous to each other, in a warm 
sandy loam. Both trees proved to be superb representatives of 
their species. The former is now (1870) about fifty feet in height, 
and the latter forty-five feet, and each covers an area of thirty feet 
in diameter ; their lower branches resting upon the ground. But 
the black spruce, if the wood and foliage of both could be weighed 
entire, would be found the heavier of the two. The horizontal 
branches of the latter have the appearance of bending with the 
v/eight of their foliage, while those of the Norway spruce decline so 
directly from the trunk as to convey the idea of a sag, rather than 



540 EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 

a bend. We do not wish to abuse this graceful peculiarity of the 
imported tree, but only to call attention by a comparison, to the 
decided and neglected merits of the native fir. 

Michaux considers the red spruce only a variety and not a 
distinct species. Other authorities differ with him, but until the 
matter is decided we prefer to describe them under one head. The 
foliage variations are certainly quite marked, and from these alone 
there would be an equal propriety in calling one variety the blue 
spruce, and another the golden spruce ; for among hundreds of trees 
of this species growing side by side, two colors are as distinct as if 
they were of two species. The trees of the bluish cast have leaves 
a little longer, and arranged around the twigs with more open 
divergence than the yellowish-green variety. Young trees of the 
blue foliage seem more dense and vigorous than the yellowish- 
green sort, but at maturity they have not gained much in growth 
on the latter. Though the twigs of the yellow-green sort are stiifer 
and its leaves smaller, the branches of old trees have a way of 
bending downwards at their extremities, so that their foliage takes 
the light in finer masses than the blue sort, and at a distance, 
especially near sunset, an old tree of the latter variety has a warmth 
of tone that gives it a most pleasing expression. 

The Weeping Black Spruce. A. nigra pendula. — A variety 
that exhibits a very pretty pendulous habit on its outer growth. 
We do not know whether this and the weeping black spruce, de- 
scribed among the varieties of the Norway spruce, may not be the 
same. 

The Norway Spruce Fir. Abies excelsa. — This universally 
popular fir is the great timber-tree of northern Europe, rising in its 
native forests, and in the parks of England, to the height of one 
hundred and fifty feet. It is so healthy, thrifty, and graceful when 
young, and adapts itself to so great a variety of soils and climates, 
that no native tree on our own continent is so universally planted for 
embellishment. And certainly, among evergreens, none better 
deserves to be ; for though our white pine has a grander character, 
and the hemlock more delicately beautiful foliage, more time is 
required to develop their forms and characters. The Norway 



EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 541 

spruce is a graceful mass of drooping foliage from youth to age, but 
perhaps there is no period when its graces are more conspicuous, 
and its faults less so, than when it has been planted from fifteen to 
twenty years. After that age it begins to exhibit, little by little, the 
dark interior colors and saggy droop of boughs that give it, to a 
slight degree, a sombre and monotonous expression, reminding one 
of the dripping moss-hung trees of evergreen swamps. In June 
and July, when the growing twigs are in a succulent state, and 
bending by their own weight, their velvety masses of verdure pro- 
duce a more exquisite effect than those of any deciduous tree 
we know of, and very few evergreens equal the Norway spruce in 
this species of grace ; though most of the Abies and JRicea family 
are peculiarly beautiful during the growing season from the same 
cause. 

There is a great difference of growth among Norway spruce 
trees, and a skillful judge of trees will be able to select from the 
nursery those which are likely to develop the greatest luxuriance of 
foliage and grace of form ; or, at least those which will develop the 
greatest beauty during fifteen or twenty years. After that age it 
sometimes happens that trees of the stiffer and more meagre foliage 
while young, form heads as dense and well broken by light and 
shadow as those which have been more beautiful in their early 
growth. 

In Chapter XIV will be found some suggestions on artificial 
adaptations of trees, some of which will apply to the Norway spruce. 

Some interesting dwarfs and sports of this species are peculiarly 
adapted to small grounds. The following are some of them : 

The Pigmy Fir. Abies excelsa pygmoea. — This diminutive vari- 
ety is perhaps the smallest of firs, not exceeding one foot in height, 
but growing more laterally. Its foliage is minute, of a light green 
or golden tinge. Hardy. 

The Dwarf Black Spruce. Abies e. nigra pumila. — This is a 
little larger than the preceding, and grows from two to three feet in 
height and three to four feet in breadth. Foliage dark colored. 

Clanbrasil's Dwarf Spruce. A. e. danbrassiliaiia. — This is 
a little larger than the preceding, attaining a height of from two to 
four feet, and about equal breadth. It is considered less healthy in 



543 EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 

its growth than some of the other dwarfs. At Ellwanger & Barry's 
nursery, in Rochester, a specimen was shown us which, after grow- 
ing as a dwarf for some years, at last started up more ambitiously, 
and having elected a leader, proceeded to grow at the same rate as 
ordinary Norway firs, and was, when seen, twelve feet high ! Mr. 
Edward Dagge, the foreman of the ornarhental department of that 
great nursery, thinks that many of the dwarf firs are so in conse- 
quence of the inferior vigor of these varieties being distributed 
among an infinitude of twigs ; and that when one of the vertical 
branches is favored by accident or design, so as to make it a 
leader, it will bring the tree back, in a considerable degree, towards 
the normal form and habit of the species. 

Gregory's Dwarf Fir. Abies e. gregoriana. — This is a dwarf 
of recent introduction, and, considered as an evergreen shrub, is 
the most valuable for garden embellishment of any of the dwarf 
spruces. It will probably grow from three to five feet high, and 
four to eight feet broad ; has a compact yet not rigid growth, and 
the foliage is a pure healthy green. We cordially recommend it. 

The Conical Norway Spruce Fir. A. e. conica (stricta 1). — 
A variety of slow growth and very compactly conical form. It will 
probably make a tree twenty to forty feet high, of formal outline. 
The Abies elegans is much like it, but has stiffer and more meagre 
foliage. 

The Compact Norway Spruce Fir, A. e. compada, resembles 
the preceding in form, but has a little more freedom of growth. It 
is simply an unusually compact tree, with the normal habits of the 
species in most respects, but of less vigorous growth. 

The Tortuous Compact Spruce Fir, A. e. tortuosa compacta, 
is a dwarfish and more spreading tree than the preceding, with 
young branches curiously twisted. It promises to be an interesting 
tree. 

The Inverted-branched Spruce Fir, Abies e. invej'ta, Fig. 
172, is the most curious and the prettiest of all the sports of the 
Norway spruce. The branches turn so naturally towards the earth, 
that it is absolutely necessary, as with the weeping beech, to tie 
its leader to a stake or stiff twig, to gain the height necessary to ex- 
hibit the charming oddity of its growth. When it is thus trained. 




EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 543 

the side branches fall directly downwards, and 
with their rich covering of foliage drape the 
stem as a robe falls around the person. The 
growth is vigorous, and the leaves are longer, 
larger, and of a brighter green than the aver- 
age of the spruces. This, and Wales' new 
drooping Norway spruce, and the Picea pecti- 
nata petidula, their counterpart in another fam- 
ily, are the three most charming novelties 
among the hardy evergreens suited to the 
decoration of small places. As the leading stem should be tied in 
a vertical position while it is growing and succulent, it must be 
handled carefully to avoid breaking it off; the jointure to the pre- 
ceding 3'ear's wood being very weak at that season. 

Wales' Drooping Norway Spruce Fir. A. e. ? This 

is a new variety, recently brought into notice by William Wales, of 
Dorchester, Mass., which has the same habit of growth as the A. e. 
mverta. Judging by a photograph of a single specimen, it seems 
to maintain a more erect leader than that variety, and to have the 
same draping of branches drooping closely around the central stem. 
Whether its foliage is so fine in color we do not know. It will 
probably be adapted to all the positions where the former is appro- 
priate. Having been brought to notice since the body of this work 
was written, no allusion has been made to it in descriptions of 
plans in Part I ; but it may be considered a candidate for any 
place where the weeping Norway spruce (invertaX or the weepino- 
silver fir (Piceap. pendula), have been recommended. When quite 
young it does not give an indication of its final form, and must 
have its leader kept in a vertical position to give an early devel- 
opment of its peculiarity. It will probably grow to the full height 
of the species. 

The Weeping N. Spruce Fir. A. e. pendida.—TKis is a vari- 
ety longer known, but not so curious as the preceding. Its branches 
droop in a graceful curve, rather than by direct inversion. It is 
not, by any means, a dwarf variety, but its form is such that it takes 
less room laterally than the common sort ; but it is less remarkable 
in its drooping habit than the two preceding sorts. 



544 EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 

The Pyramidal Spruce Fir. A. e. pyramidata. — A vigorous 
growing variety, with more fastigiate growth than any other, and 
also noticeable for the reddish color of its strong young wood. 

The Alata Spruce Fir, Abies e. alata, is a variety with heav- 
ier and longer leaves, coarser branches, and ranker growth than 
the common Norway. 

The Deformed Spruce Fir. A. e. mo?istrosa. — This is simply 
a tortuous branched and almost leafless monstrosity, of much vigor 
and no beauty. It somewhat resembles in growth the Chili aura- 
caria, but is much more rambling. 

The Finedon Variegated Spruce Fir. A. e. Jt?iedonensis. — 
A new English sport of the Norway spruce, remarkable for the yel- 
low color of the upper sides of its leaves and shoots when they first 
appear, which afterwards change to a light green. If healthy it 
may prove an interesting variety. 

The Oriental Spruce Fir. Abies orientalis. — A careless ob- 
server would mistake this species for an unusually dense, rigid, 
small-leaved, Norway spruce. When small it looks like an inferior 
and dwarfish tree of that species. But as it attains the height of 
fifteen to twenty feet, the multiplicity of its twigs gives the tree a 
superior density of foliage which its early growth does not promise ; 
and when a large tree, its dark-green masses break into strong and 
irregular lights and shades, and it is then easily distinguished from 
the Norway spruce by a greater solidity of character, or, to speak 
more specifically, by the less distinctly marked separation of its 
horizontal branches. A native of the coast of the Black Sea, and 
the neighboring mountains, and quite hardy. It does not grow to 
so great a size as the Norway spruce ; seventy to eighty feet being 
its maximum height. 

Menzies Spruce Fir. Abies menziesii. — A native of northern 
California, the Shasta region, and the island of Sitchka. On a 
casual glance, this tree resembles the bluish variety of our native 
black spruce ; but with closer observation, it is seen to be very dis- 
tinct from all the common spruces. Gordon describes it as fol- 
lows : " Leaves solitary, thickly scattered in every direction round 



EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 545 

the branches, twisted at the base, narrow, rigid, linear, sharp- 
pointed, in-curved, silvery below, and vivid-green above, three- 
fourths of an inch long, and soon falling off after the first season, 
leaving the branches very naked, warted, and with a jointed appear- 
ance. Buds ovate-pointed, and covered with resin. Cones three 
inches long, one to one-and-a-quarter inches broad, pendulous, cylin- 
drical, blunt-pointed, and with the scales loose, and nt)t compact." 
* * " The young twigs are slender, and of a yellowish-brown color. 
The tree grows to the height of sixty or seventy feet, with a pyra- 
midal, thickly-branched head, and a silvery appearance." It pre- 
fers the alluvial soils on the banks of rivers, in shady places. All 
authorities concur in this, that it flourishes best in moist soils and 
air, and that in very dry places and seasons it loses a part of its 
leaves in the summer, and then presents the appearance of a tree 
being killed by drought. Yet we have seen specimens growing in 
deep garden loam, and densely clothed with bright foliage, giving 
no indication of the premature falling of the leaves mentioned by 
Gordon, and confirmed by most of our own authorities. The form 
of the tree is compact and stiffly pyramidal, but less stratified in 
the disposition of its branches than the balsam fir. It may be 
considered almost hardy as to cold, but nearly worthless in many 
locations by reason of its burnt and denuded appearance in 
the sun. 

One quality in the Abies jnenziesii deserves attention. Its 
leaves are stiff and pointed, like the sharpest needles ; and as they 
are very numerous, and point so as to prick in every direction, and 
the growth is dense and compact, it would seem a formidable ever- 
green hedge-tree for a fence against men and animals. Its ten- 
dency to lose its leaves in summer will, however, condemn its use, 
unless it shall be found to thrive without this fault in damp 
shady places. 

The Himalayan or Morinda Spruce Fir. Abies Smithiana, 
A. morinda. — This is the most graceful of all the Abies, and in its 
contour and foliage takes a rank midway between the Norway 
spruce and the hemlock. When introduced about twenty years 
ago it was supposed to be quite hardy, and its novelty and beauty 
35 



546 EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 

created great enthusiasm among tree-growers. But out of tens of 
thousands which have been imported and planted, there are pro- 
bably not a hundred fine specimens in the country. Some are 
scorched by the summer sun, and others cut down by the cold 
of winter. Sargent thinks it may be acclimated in well- 
drained, gravelly soils, and partial shade. We do not believe in 
the shade, except for the soil in which it grows. Ellwanger & 
Barry, at Rochester, many years since, imported thousands of 
plants, and out of all, but one proved hardy. That one is now 
twelve or fourteen feet high, feathered beautifully to the ground, 
and grows in a deep, warm loam, exposed on all sides to the sun 
and wind, though in a kind of shallow valley. They inform us that 
all the trees grafted from this stock on the roots of the Norway spruce^ 
have proved hardy. We have faith to believe, that if care is used 
to get seed from the hardiest specimens growing in the most ex- 
posed localities where they are indigenous, and grafted if necessary 
on our native spruces, we may yet grow large trees of them. It is 
not improbable that the seed usually obtained in India is from the 
most beautiful specimens growing in favored locations nearest to 
the English settlements, rather than from the more rugged and ex- 
posed trees. However this may be, whoever plants it in the 
northern States, must do so with the hope of growing it to large 
size, qualified by the risk of losing it at any time. 

In its native country, the Himalayan spruce attains great size. 
A specimen has been measured one hundred and sixty-five feet in 
height, and another twenty feet in the circumference of the trunk. 
These are the maximum measurements. It grows on the spurs of 
the Himalaya mountains, on elevations from seven thousand to 
eleven thousand feet above the sea, and is said to be found usually 
higher up than the Deodar cedar. It might be supposed that it 
would suffer more from the density of the air on the low levels of 
our own great American plain than from the cold alone, though 
this theory is contradicted by its success in England ! 

The Japanese have named this tree the Tiger's-tail fir, on ac- 
count of the long pendulous branchlets on old trees resembling the 
tail of a tiger. 

Douglass' Spruce Fir. Abies Douglassi. — This is one of the 



EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 547 

great trees of California and Oregon, where, in rich valleys, it 
grows to a height of one hundred and fifty to two hundred feet, 
with a trunk from five to ten feet in diameter. In appearance it 
strongly resembles our common balsam fir, but all its parts are on 
a larger scale. Downing mentions a specimen seen at Dropmore, 
England, which had been planted twenty-one years, and which was 
then sixty-two feet high ; of which he wrote : " It resembles most 
the Norway spruce as one occasionally sees the finest form of that 
tree, having that graceful, downward sweep of the branches, and 
feathering out quite down to the turf; but it is altogether more airy 
in form, and of a richer and darker green color. At this size it is 
the symbol of stately elegance." Doubtless the Dropmore speci- 
men was an uncommonly beautiful one. A portrait of this fir, 
grown to full size, given in the Pacific R. R. Survey, has much of 
the formal, sombre air, of our old balsam firs. Hoopes (West- 
chester, Pa.), considers this much hardier than the Himalayan 
spruce, and less liable to be scorched by the summer sun ; but does 
not think it quite hardy. Sargent (at Fishkill, on the Hudson) 
says: "Plants with us, "in low damp ground, suffer occasionally in 
color if not in loss of leaves ; while those grown in the shade, or 
on an exposed hill-side in poor, slaty soil, succeed admirably." 

The Yew-leaved Douglass Spruce Fir. Abies D. taxifolia. — 
This is a variety with much longer leaves, and lesser growth, dis- 
tinguished also by the very level stratification of its branches. 
Probably not hardier than the above. 

Patton's Giant California Fir. Ahies Pattonii. — A native 
of California and Oregon, discovered by Lewis and Clarke, of 
which specimens are known growing to the height of three hundred 
feet, and trunks forty-two feet in circumference ! Scarcely known 
yet in our collections, though reported hardy in England. 

The Hemlock Fir. Abies canadensis. — This common native 
tree is certainly the most graceful, beautiful, and available of all 
evergreens for the embellishment of small places. Hardy as an 
oak, delicate and airy in outline as the grasses of a winter bouquet, 
soft to the touch, fragrant, yet forming deep masses of verdure 



548 EVEB GBEEN TREES AND SEIiUBS. 

Fig. 173. 




with a color that cannot be improved — what more can we say for 
a tree? Fig. 173 is a portrait of a full-grown hemlock in Studley 
Park, England. Fig. 174 suggests the general appearance of a 
well-grown hemlock at ten years after planting. Fig. 175 bears a 
strong resemblance to a middle-aged and picturesque specimen 
formerly growing on the edge of the rocky cliff below Niagara 
Falls. The three will give a fair idea of the varieties of form that 
hemlocks assume from youth to age. When quite young, how- 
ever, they are apt to grow with a lighter, looser, and more open 
growth than any of these cuts indicate ; and for half a dozen years, 
by cutting back ono-half the annual growth every spring, a richer 
weight of verdure is produced. 

The hemlock loves a warm humid soil, and does not develop 
all its beauty in thin light sandy loams, where the white pine 
luxuriates. In a congenial soil the foliage is equally fine in sun or 
shade, and where it is grown so that its branches overarch a walk 
or road, no tree that we know of shows so fine a verdure on its 
inner or shadowed surfaces. Yet, notwithstanding the cheerful 



EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 



549 



purity of color which distin- Fic i74- 

guishes a young hemlock tree, 
it assumes with age a sombre 
tone. This expression, how- 
ever, is rarely acquired before 
it is thirty to forty years old, 
and may readily be counter- 
acted by planting the Chinese 
wistaria, Virginia creeper, or 
trumpet creeper at its root. 
These will speedily intermin- 
gle the rich drapery of their 
lighter-colored foliage, and fall 
like pendants from the highest boughs of the tree. 
The following are varieties of our native hemlock : 
Large-leaved Hemlock. A. c. macrophylla. — This is distin- 
guished in the nursery by larger leaves and denser growth than the 
common hemlock, but whether it will exhibit peculiarities to render 
it worthy a distinct name is a question to be determined by longer 
cultivation. 

The Slender-dwarf Hemlock. A. c. microphylla, or A. c. 
gracilis. — A small-leaved, slender-branched, very dwarf variety that 
looks thin and uninteresting when young, but may possibly have 
some value at maturity. 




Parsons' Dwarf Hem- 
lock. Abies c. Farsoni. — 
This is a very pretty dwarf, 
noticeable for the symmet- 
rical out-curve of its slender 
branches. 

Sargent's Hemlock. 
Abies c. Sargenti. — This bids 
fair to be one of the most 
curious and interesting ad- 
ditions to our stock of gar- 
denesque evergreens — bear- 
ing: the same relation to the 



Fig. 175. 




550 EVE li GREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 

common hemlock that the weeping beech does to the common beech. 
It is of an eccentric rambling nature, but well clothed with verdure. 
Grown without training it will probably be a broad, irregular, flat- 
headed tree or great bush, with an overlaying of downward growing 
branches like that of the Scamston elm. By grafting it well up 
on other trees, or by tying its leader to a stick or stake, we believe 
it will be one of the prettiest and most picturesque of evergreens. 
The best effect will be produced when grafted well up on an 
ordinary hemlock stem. The tree was brought into notice by H. 
W. Sargent, Esq., who found it growing wild on Fishkill mountain. 

The Japan Hemlock Spruce. Abies tsuga. — This species, 
which is a great favorite in Japanese gardens, seems scarcely known 
yet in this country. On the mountains near Yeddo it is a lofty 
tree, while in gardens it is grown in pots and boxes to any size 
that the gardeners desire. There is also a variety that is dwarf by 
nature. 

The California Hemlock. Abies mertensiana. Abies canaden- 
sis taxifolia. — This is described in Gordon's Pinetum as "A hand- 
some, bushy, round-headed tree, growing from one hundred to one 
hundred and fifty feet high, and from four to six feet in diameter, 
with a straight round stem, etc. It is quite hardy, and resembles in 
general appearance the hemlock spruce." * * "It is found in 
Oregon and Northern California, where it constitutes one-half the 
timber in the neighborhood." Probably only a grosser variety of 
our native hemlock. 



THE SILVER FIRS. Picea. 

The difference between the spruce fir family and the silver firs, 
aside from their botanical traits, may be briefly mentioned as 
follows : 

The silver firs have a more rigid horizontality of branches, and 
the stratification of their foliage is usually more marked and formal. 
In general outlines the two families differ but little, but the rigidity 



EVE E G RE E N TREES AND SHRUBS. 551 

of the branching in silver firs gives them a more monotonous and 
less picturesque expression at maturity. In general tone of color 
there is little difference ; but the leaves of the Piceas, when seen 
from below, show more or less white, yellowish-white, or gray lines, 
which fact gave rise to the name Silver Firs. This peculiarity, 
however, makes little display, except to persons walking under, or 
looking up to them. Nearly all the species at maturity are sombre 
and formal trees ; but there is much difference between them in 
this respect, and some of them have a pleasing, warm green tone. 
The family embraces trees of all sizes, from three feet to three 
hundred feet in height. All which we are about to describe are 
hardy, or nearly so. 

The Balsam Fir. Ficea halsamea. — This native tree of our 
northern States is the best known, the most popular, and the least 
valuable of the tribe. As seen in the nursery, with its soft and 
pleasing green leaves, healthy growth, and agreeable fragrance, it is 
not singular that its infantile beauties have made it the universal 
favorite with all novices in planting. But it is like one of those 
pretty little girls who surprises us in a few years by the suddenness 
of her transition to prim and glum old maidenhood. It not only 
does not grow old gracefully, but shows its unpleasant features so 
soon after it is out of the nursery, that it is a wonder it has so long 
held place in good society. Compared with scores of other ever- 
green trees, it is not worth planting. Rigid in outline, and in its 
mode of branching, and becoming year by year darker in foliage, 
scarcely ten years pass, in many cases, before its stiff and gloomy 
expression suggests that its room is better than its company. 
Height forty to fifty feet. Rate of growth about one foot and a half 
to two feet a year. 

Fraser's Silver Fir, Picea Fraseri, is a smaller variety of 
the balsam fir, with shorter and more thickly-set leaves ; found on 
the mountains of Pennsylvania and North Carolina, and of the 
same general character as the preceding. 

The Hudson's Bay Silver Fir. Picea Hudsonica. — This is 
one of the finest of dwarf evergreens, growing not more than four 



552 EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 

or five feet high, and of great proportional breadth. The growth 
is as dense as that of a clipped hedge, and the foliage is a dark, 
velvety shade of green. A pleasing companion for the dwarf silver 
fir, Ficea p. compada. A native of the northern parts of our 
continent 

The European Silver Fir. Picea pedinata. — A much nobler 
tree than our native balsam fir, though it has some of the same 
faults in a modified degree. The foliage is warmer-toned, longer, 
and more silvery on the under side, and the growth somewhat 
stronger. The disposition of the branches is even more in hori- 
zontal layers than those of the balsam fir, and when quite young, 
this character gives it the same formality of shadow lines ; but 
these being still more decided, in connection with the warmer-toned 
foliage, the tree has a more distinctive character. It finally, how- 
ever, acquires a sombre expression, but does not arrive at that state 
until it is from thirty to forty years old. When grown in strong 
soils, it is apt to lose its leader while young by excessive cold. 
This is not so great a misfortune as many persons suppose. It 
is very easy to select some of the little twigs the following spring 
from the buds around the base of the leader, and make leaders of 
them. The check in the growth of the upright stem may tend to 
make the foliage at the bottom more dense and beautiful. There 
are many beautiful varieties of the silver fir, among which are the 
following : 

The Weeping Silver Fir, P. p. pendula. — This is an ex- 
quisite tree when carefully trained to a stake until from six to ten 
feet high. It is peculiar in form, and the foliage is quite bright- 
colored. The specimen in Parsons & Co.'s ground at Flushing is 
a very embodiment of graceful, slenHer elegance. By the smooth, 
downward sweep of its branches, it is relieved of the formality of 
stratification and outline peculiar to the family, and retains all the 
soft beauty of their foliage. It is a twin beauty with the pendulous 
Norway spruce (inverta). 

The Upright Silver Fir. P. p. fastigiata. (P. p. metensis). 
— A German garden variety, of more erect fastigiate habit than any 
other, and is said to resemble the Lombardy poplar in outline. 




EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 553 

The Pyramidal Silver Fir. -P. /. pyratnidata. — Another 
German variety, a little less fastigiate than the preceding, with a 
pendulous tendency in the smaller shoots. 

The Tortuous Silver Fir. P. p. tortuosa. — A German 
variety, with crooked and tortuous branches and branchlets. 

The Oblate Dwarf Silver Fir, P. 
p. cofnpacta. (P. p. nana ?) — This is a 
charming, very low dwarf variety ; so broad 
and low, that we have ventured to add to 
its title the word oblate to make the name 
more characteristic of the form, which is in ,,-^^ ,,, , 
breadth nearly double its height. The color 
is a very warm, almost golden, green. Height from two to three 
feet. 

The Cilician Silver Fir. Picea cilicica (P. leiodada).—1h\s 
is a very distinct, and very beautiful species, from the mountains of 
Asia Minor. Gordon describes it as " a handsome tree of a pyra- 
midal shape, thickly furnished with vertical branches to the ground, 
and growing fifty feet high, and three feet in diameter." The 
branches are thickly set on the stems, and the branchlets are much 
more irregular and intermingled than those of the common silver 
fir. A fine specimen, growing in the grounds of Parsons & Co. at 
Flushing, L. I., has a form and expression such as one might 
imagine from a cross between the sturdy Cephalonian fir and the 
graceful Himalayan spruce. It seems to us that it will make a tree 
of more graceful outline and varied shadows than the old silver fir ; 
but its mature character, as an ornamental tree, and its hardiness, 
cannot yet be determined. 

The Cephalonian Fir. Picea Cephalotiica. — This hardy and 
sturdy-looking evergreen takes a somewhat similar rank among the 
Piceas that our native black spruce does among the Abies. Its 
leaves stand at right angles and rigidly all around the branches, 
instead of being disposed in lines on the sides of the twigs only ; 
and the branches, though numerous, and in tiers, on the main 
stem, have branchlets in every direction, instead of being in level 



554 E VE B G B E E N TBEES AND S SB UBS. 

lines, as in other silver firs. When young the trees have a round- 
ish-pyramidal form, with compact and solid masses of foliage, 
which, on account of the spiney character of the leaves, is un- 
pleasant to push against or handle. We have, therefore, else- 
where suggested the use of this tree for garden hedges. The 
color of the foliage is a bluish-green on top, and grayish-green 
beneath. 

Nordmann's Silver Fir. I'icea nordmaniana. — This is 
quite the finest of the silver firs which have been growing long 
enough in this country to give a fair impression of their qualities. 
Its superiority in beauty to the common European silver fir consists 
mainly in the denser and larger masses into which its foliage 
forms ; the horizontal divisions being somewhat less rigid, and 
more rounded in outline, and its lights and shadows less thinly 
stratified. The leaves are soft to the touch, do not prick on 
handling, are set at an angle of 45° with the twigs, and have a 
lively warm green color, unsurpassed by any large evergreen ; in 
length they are about the same as those of the European silver fir, 
but they curve upwards at the ends, giving to the branchlets the 
appearance of being much more thickly foliaged. The young 
shoots are quite smooth and glossy. A native of the mountains 
around the Black Sea, and there grows to the height of one 
hundred feet. It is not unlikely that with age it will develop more 
of the monotonous formality of expression which distinguishes our 
own balsam fir, but its warmer-toned foliage must always be in its 
favor. Trees of fifteen to twenty years' growth in this country are 
certainly more pleasing in all respects than any other large species 
of the Picea family. It is quite hardy. 

The Noble Silver Fir. Picea noMlis. — Though this is one of 
the immense trees of Oregon and northern California, where it 
attains a height of two hundred feet, its growth when young is 
much more compact and fuU-foliaged than most of the trees from 
the Pacific slope, having rather the appearance of a vigorous dwarf 
tree than of a scion of a lofty family. The leaves are about the 
length of those of the balsam fir, and so thickly set on the twigs 



EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 555 

that the latter can scarcely be seen. The upper side of the leaf is 
a dark green, the under side lined with white, giving the foliage a 
bluish-gray tone. The growth is slow and compact when youno-, 
and the tree has been found quite hardy in the eastern States. Mr. 
Downing, writing from England, described the specimens seen there 
as the most majestic of evergreens. The best specimens we have 
seen spread upon the ground with more breadth than height. 
Probably they had not yet reached the age of most rapid upward 
growth. When larger the branches are in whorls, disposing the 
foliage into strata, so that it lies in masses, says a recent writer, 
" almost as level as Utrecht velvet." 

This, after the P. nordjnaniana, is doubtless the most valuable 
of the newer evergreens of the Picea family. 

The Great Silver Fir. Ficea grandis. — This is another of 
the giant trees of the Pacific slope. It bears a striking resemblance 
to the common European silver fir, but has rather longer and, per- 
haps, lighter-colored leaves. The branches are regularly disposed 
in whorls, and the foliage lies in thin layers. We believe its growth 
will prove too rank and monotonously symmetrical to become a val- 
uable tree for small grounds. 

Parsons' Silver Fir. Ficea grandis Parsonii. — This is sup- 
posed to be a sport of the Picea grandis, originating in the grounds 
of Messrs. Parsons & Co., of Flushing, N. Y. It is certainly the 
most exquisite young tree of the silver fir type that we have seen ; 
exceeding all others in the length of its leaves, and the soft shadings 
of their warm-toned layers. It bears a similar relationship to other 
Piceas that the exquisite Bhotan pine does to the pines. The new 
twigs are small and yellowish-brown ; older wood, slate-colored. 
The trunk enlarges rapidly near the base like a cypress. 

Low's Silver Fir. Picea lowiana (P. lasciocarpa). — This 
fine species differs from the common silver fir and the Picea gra?t- 
dis principally in the greater length of its leaves, which are arranged 
on the sides of the twigs in two level lines as flatly as if they had 
all been ironed out ; and also in their paler color, the more slender 



556 EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 

character of the branches, and the fact that the latter are "not 
glossy like those of the true grandis when young." — (Gordon.) 

The Lovely Silver Fir. Picea aviabilis. — This is also one of 
the trees of California and Oregon, growing there occasionally to 
the height of two hundred and fifty feet. It has longer leaves than 
any other tree of the family (except Parsons' silver fir, which most 
resembles it), being from one and a half to two inches in length, 
arranged in rows on the sides of the twigs, and of a bluish-green 
tone. Young twigs a light brown ; older bark greenish-gray. The 
smaller twigs are less regular in their horizontal direction than 
those of the P. grandis and P. Parsonii, and the foliage is therefore 
not quite so thin and regular in stratification. One of the most 
beautiful of the silver firs. Its hardiness is not determined. 

The Siberian Silver Fir. Picea pichta. — This is one of the 
most valuable of the European firs recently introduced, on account 
of its medium size and dense foliage. The latter is of the balsam 
fir type, but the leaves are nearly double the size. They are soft 
to the touch ; the young wood is short and thick, but bends yield- 
ingly in the hand, resembling in this respect the beautiful P. nord- 
maniana, from which it differs in having darker foliage, denser and 
shorter growth, and still greater pliability of young wood, which is 
of a grayish hue. The shade of color is peculiarly deep and rich 
in young trees. Whether it may not become a sombre tree with 
age is a question. It is advisable to plant it where its deep green 
color will be contrasted with trees or shrubs of a light warm tone, 
A native of the mountains of Siberia. It will probably make a tree 
of about the height of our balsam fir, but broader, better filled in 
with foliage, and less sharply conical. Our opinion of this tree has 
been formed principally from one specimen, which is now about 
twelve feet high. 

The Japan Silver Fir. Picea firma. — A species recently 
introduced, which has a strong resemblance to the common silver 
fir at a little distance, but is distinguished on a closer approach by 
its shorter and stiffer leaves, thickly set on the sides of the twigs, 



EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 557 

and terminating in two sharp points. The general expression of a 
tree of six or eight feet in height is rather rigid and uninteresting. 

The Pinsapo Fir. Ficea pinsapo. — A native of the mountains 
of Spain, regarded as hardy by Sargent at Fishkill on the Hudson, 
and as of doubtful hardiness, according to Hoopes, in the neighbor- 
hood of Philadelphia. The leaves are about the length of those of 
the Norway spruce, borne all around the t^vigs, sharp-pointed, and 
rather dark colored. Branches and branchlets very numerous, the 
former in whorls. Probably of no peculiar value as an ornamental 
tree. 

There is a variegated variety with some of the young shoots and 
leaves of a pale yellow color. 

The Upright Indian Silver Fir. Picea pindrow. 

Webb's Purple-coned Silver Fir. P. Wehbiana. 

These are similar trees, both from the Himalayas, where they 
attain great size and beauty ; but, so far, they have proved unsuited 
to our climate. Some, cultivators believe that hardy specimens will 
yet be found from which to propagate, as in the case of Ellwanger 
& Barry's Himalayan spruce. When we can know something good 
of them by their growth on our own soil, there will be time to 
describe them. 



THE CEDARS AND JUNIPERS. Cedrus and Jimiperus. 

Under this common head we shall describe the two botanical 
families, Cedrus and jfuniperus ; many of the junipers being popu- 
larly known as cedars. The true cedars are natives of Asia, and 
include the renowned Cedar of Lebanon, and its more valuable 
brother, the Deodar cedar. Of the junipers there are species on 
both continents ; — the native red cedar being the best known Amer- 
ican representative of the family. 

The Red Cedar, yuniperus virginiana, is noted above all 
American trees for the durability of its heart wood, which is re- 



558 EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 

markably fragrant, and of a dark red color ; making it pleasing to 
the senses as well as valuable in the arts. It grows from thirty to 
forty feet in height, and assumes a variety of forms in different soils 
and parts of the country. On the banks of the Hudson River, and 
streams farther north, it is usually a compactly conical tree ; at the 
west and south, it grows in more irregularly-pyramidal forms, with 
much freer and more open branching. " The red cedar varies ex- 
ceedingly from seed ; some are low and spreading, and others tall 
and fastigiate ; some bearing male blossoms, and others female 
ones. The foliage in some is of a very light hue ; in others it is 
glaucus, and in some a very dark green." — (Loudon.) 

The red cedar just falls short of being one of the most beautiful 
of evergreens. When grown in rich, deep soil, it assumes an irreg- 
ular and spirited outline. While young, in such soils, the length 
of its side branches, which take a horizontal direction near the 
ground, give it the appearance of a free-growing evergreen shrub, 
of a less formal character than any other evergreen we have. In 
gracefulness of growth it is only excelled by the hemlock, and it 
exceeds that tree in the diversity of its forms. The foliage in 
spring and summer varies greatly in color on different trees, from a 
bluish to a yellowish green. On old trees the sunny side often 
exhibits great warmth of tone, and a soft blending of strong lights 
and shades on the rounded details of its contour. But in winter, 
though called an evergreen, its foliage turns to a dull brown that is 
rarely pleasing; and occasionally it is tinged with this color in 
excessively hot, dry weather. This winter color, however, is thrown 
off with the returning warmth of spring, and the foliage resumes 
its natural green some weeks before the new growth shows itself 

The elder Michaux made a mistake, in which Downing followed 
him, of supposing that the red cedar flourished best near tide-water ; 
and that in the western States " it is confined to spots where the 
calcareous rock shows itself naked, or is so thinly covered with . 
mould as to forbid the vegetation of other trees" (Michaux). Cer- 
tainly it seems greatly at home in a soil not far removed from 
limestone rock, but it is most luxuriant in deep, alluvial soils above 
such rock. On the islands in the west end of Lake Erie, on the 
shores of Sandusky Bay, and on the banks of the Maumee river, 



EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 559 

we have seen noble native growths of the red cedar. On Kelley's 
Island there were formerly trees with trunks thirty inches in 
diameter. It is also found of large size in the valley of the 
Ohio. 

The Weeping Red Cedar. % virginiana pendula ( % viri- 
dissima pe?idulaj. — This variety is distinguished by more slender 
branches, of which the young twigs and growing wood are pen- 
dulous. It has a free, loose, irregularly conical growth, that 
promises, on rich soils, to make it a spirited old tree. The foliage 
is of a decidedly yellowish tone of green. It seems likely to prove 
the most interesting of the red cedars. 

The Glaucous Red Cedar, y. virginiana glauca ( y. ciner- 
escens?). — This is simply a variety of the common cedar, with 
decidedly bluish-green and abundant foliage, in pleasing contrast 
with the warm green of the preceding variety. 

The Compact Red Cedar, y. v. pyramidalis, is a variety 
described as having an unusually fastigiate habit. 

The Variegated Red Cedar, y. v. variegata. — Of this we 
know nothing more than that its foliage is said to be "deeply 
variegated with a golden yellow." 

The above, we believe, are the most noted varieties of our 
red cedar which have been honored with names, and all become 
medium-sized trees. 

The White Cedar, well known as a swamp timber tree, is 
classed by botanists with the C5^press family as Cupressiis thyoides, 
under which head it may be found. 

The English; Juniper, y. communis vulgaris. Fig. 177. 
— This is a spreading, shrubby bush, usually from 
three to ten feet high, and generally, of little beauty, 
though it sports occasionally into pleasing forms. 



The Swedish Juniper, y. suecica, a slenderly 
conical little tree, as shown by Fig. 177, in which pe- 
culiarity it is only excelled by the Irish juniper. It is 
one of the most available slender evergreens for small places. 





'560 EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS: 

growing to the height of ten to thirty feet, and in diameter about 
one-fourth its height. 

The Dwarf Swedish Juniper, y. s. nana, is like its protot}^pe 
in foliage, but forms only a very diminutive low bush. 

The Irish Juniper, y.hibernica. — Fig. 178. This 
is, we believe, the most slender and fastigiate of all 
evergreens ; and is therefore peculiarly useful on 
small places, where, while occupying a miminum of 
space, it is conspicuous by its height; and by its 
vertical growth breaks with pleasant contrasts, when 
not too frequently repeated, the level lines of lawns 
and terraces. The foliage is somewhat darker than that of the Swe- 
dish juniper. It suffers occasionally from the sun in summer, and 
where practicable should not be planted where there will be a 
reflection of southerly light upon it. Though generally considered 
hardy, it is advisable to mulch over the roots, and bundle the top 
every winter in the interior, north of the latitude of New York. This 
may not be necessary to insure its life, but adds so much to the 
brightness of the foliage in the spring that it should be practiced if 
for that reason alone ; but should also be done to save it from real 
danger in unusually severe winters. The slenderness of its form 
makes it very easy to bind with straw. There is a variety of this 
tree, the y. robusta, that is said to be more uniformly healthy and 
vigorous than the common sort. 

The Caucasian Juniper, y. oblonga, is a straggling bush with 
slender drooping branchlets. Height five or six feet. Quite 
hardy, but probably inferior in all respects to the following : 

The Oblong Weeping . Juniper, y. oblonga pendula. — A 
Japanese variety, considered by competent observers who have been 
well acquainted with its growth since it was introduced into this 
country, about fifteen years ago, to be the most interesting of all 
the Junipers. Its form is what the name implies. The pendulous- 
ness is in its small twigs only. Color of foliage a warm light-green. 
Breadth about two-thirds the height, which at maturity is about 



EVERGREEN TREES AND SSRUBS. 561 

twenty feet. Sargent writes that it is with difficulty transplanted, 
and recovers slowly afterward ; but when fairly started succeeds 
admirably. Parsons & Co., at Flushing, have beautiful specimens. 
It requires care and protection while young from summer's sun as 
well as winter's cold. Hoopes in his Book of Evergreens states 
that it may be grafted upon the red cedar. If it is durable and 
thrifty as a graft upon that stock, its beauty may be rendered 
quickly available by grafting it not too high on strong young trees 
of this common sort. 

The Chinese Juniper, y. sinensis. — This was highly com- 
mended six years ago, but is now considered by most planters who 
have tried it to be almost worthless. 

The Canadian Juniper, J^. canadensis. The Savin, % sabina, 
and the Alpine Juniper, y. alpina, are low, broadly spreading 
shrubs, that take up a great deal of room that may be much more 
prettily occupied by other things. 

The Dense Indian Junipers, y. densa, % repanda densa, and 
% reciirva densa, are so well confused that we do not know if the three 
botanical names are of different varieties or the same thing. Tne 
species is from the Bhotan or Nepaul country in Asia. A small 
plant seen at Parsons & Co.'s was the most perfect little thing of 
the Juniper family seen there, having a velvety compactness of 
foliage unequalled by any other. The name given to it at the nursery 
is the y. repanda densa. Hoopes does not consider these Junipers 
quite hardy. Sargent makes them hardy at Fishkill. We have 
faith in the one just mentioned merely by reason of its very healthy 
and hardy appearance. Height and breadth three to six feet. (?) 

The Scale-leaved Juniper, % sguamata, has* become one of 
the most popular of the family since the publication of the excellent 
engraving in Sargent's Supplement to Downing's Landscape Gar- 
dening, of a specimen growing in the grounds of R. S. Fields, N. J. 
After seeing the engraving we think most persons will be disap- 
pointed in the tree (or rather bush) itself It certainly makes a 
fine broad mound of the peculiar foliage of the Junipers, but it is 
36 



562 EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 

scarcely more than a mound for quite a number of years, though it 
eventually assumes a pyramidal form. Where one has room for 
shrubs of much breadth and Jittle height, the squamata is one of the 
best. The foliage presents a roughly broken surface and a prickly 
appearance when the plants are young, but with age becomes dense, 
and smoother in outline, and then breaks well into light and shade. 

The Creeping or Prostrate Juniper, jf. repe?is {y. pros- 
trata, y. recumbens). — This is a true evergreen creeper which 
spreads in every direction, and covers the ground with a deep 
velvety mat of dark green foliage. It forms a rich carpet for rocks 
which have but little soil upon them, and does best in partial shade. 
There are fine specimens in the Central Park. Height from six 
inches to two feet. Hoopes mentions that the aphis or plant lice are 
particularly injurious to this species, and sometimes kill them in 
one season. He recommends sprinkling the plants frequently with 
.hot (?) tobacco water until the insects are destroyed. 

The Incense or Sacred Juniper. J. religiosa. — This becomes 
a large tree in its native Nepaul. Sargent considers it hardy at 
Fishkill, but makes no mention of it as a beautiful or especially 
desirable sort. It is simply on trial. 

The Cedar of Lebanon. Cedrus libani. — The interesting 
religious associations of this tree, its great size and grand lateral 
expansion of head, so much more noble in this respect than most 
of our northern evergreens, and the fact that some of the most 
beautiful specimens in the world are those which have been planted 
in England within the last two hundred years, have all tended to 
make every planter desire a Cedar of Lebanon in his collection. 
Yet it is by no means one of the most beautiful evergreens when 
young. Both in contour and branch-lines it is rigidly formal 
during the first fifty years of its growth, the outline being conical- 
ovate, and the branching rather horizontal ; and it develops the 
peculiar tabular expansion of its top and grand lateral sweep of 
branches only as it approaches a century or more of growth. The 
foliage in general appearance resembles that of the Juniper family. 



E VE R GB E E N TBEES ^ND SHRUBS. 563 

It cannot be considered hardy north of Philadelphia, although 
there are a few fine specimens near the city of New York. It will 
probably become a grand tree in the upper table lands and moun- 
tains of the southern States. 

There is a new variety recently brought out in England with 
slenderer and more pendulous branches, and named botanically the 
C. l.pendula. 

The Deodar Cedar, Cedrus deodora, belongs to the same 
family as the Cedar of Lebanon, and has many of the same 
characteristics at maturity, but when young is far more graceful in 
its branching and spray. It resembles the hemlock in its branching, 
but its foliage is not so soft to the touch, nor so pleasing in color, 
being a bluish or grayish green. Those who have seen it in its 
native localities on the mountains of northern Hindostan, describe 
it as a tree of colossal dimensions, uniting gracefulness and 
grandeur beyond all other evergreens. It is found in the same 
regions where the Bhotan pine is indigenous, near latitude 30° 
north, at elevations from six to twelve thousand feet above the sea. 
It has been pretty well tried in this country, and has not proved hardy 
in the northern States. Sargent mentions that its habit of making 
a late autumnal growth, makes it peculiarly liable to injuiy in 
winter, and that it is quite ujireliable. He believed they would do 
best on the northerly side of hills or other protection from too much 
sun, and in soils that are deep, poor, and dry ; while Mr. Meehan, 
of Philadelphia, reports that all deodars on wet low soils are 
uninjured, while those on dry are killed outright. It is not unlikely 
that specimens may be made to grow to large size as far north as 
Lake Ontario, but such successes will probably be exceptional. 
Trees which never attain large size may, if but half-hardy, be pro- 
tected at every age, but those which are planted for their ultimate 
greatness should be of sorts that will not be endangered by extremes 
of heat or cold after they become too large to protect. The deodar 
when young is not so beautiful as the hemlock. We need not there- 
fore feel fiad over our failure to domesticate it. 

The Silvery Deodar Cedar. C. d. argentea. — This is a 
variegated variety of extraordinary beauty, of which we have only 



564 EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 

seen small plants in Parsons & Co.'s nurseries. The foliage is so 
silvery, that it is fairly brilliant. Probably not hardier than the 
species, but considered as an evergreen shrub, to be protected 
regularly, it commends itself to the attention of collectors. 

The Japan Cedar. Cryptomeria japonica. — This is an ex- 
quisitely graceful tree when young, and so peculiar in the form and 
droop of its foliage, that it is quite unfortunate it cannot be grown 
as an open ground tree in the northern States. It is decidedly 
tender. At Newport, and near Philadelphia, a few specimens have 
survived the winter uninjured, but they are exceptional. South- 
ward of Washington it is comparatively safe. Sargent recommends 
that it be grown at the north in tubs, to be wintered in a cool, dry 
cellar or green-house, and placed where wanted on the lawn in 
summer, burying the tubs in the ground, so that the tree will seem 
to belong there. In its native country it is a great tree. 

The Cryptomeria elegans. — This is a very peculiar smaller 
species, with foliage in general appearance between that of the red 
cedar and common asparagus, dense, of a light green color, and 
somewhat drooping. Small plants survive the winters in open 
ground at Rochester with protection. 



THE ARBOR-VITyE FAMILY. Thuja. Biota. Thuiopsis. 

Under the three botanical divisions above given, the different 
species of arbor-vitse are grouped. They are all conical or pyra- 
midal trees, or fastigiate shrubs, remarkable for the flattened ap- 
pearance of their leaves and branchlets, which in most varieties 
appear as if they had been pressed. 

iG^ 179. rp^^ American Arbor- Vit^. Thuja occidentalis. 

— This beautiful native tree, frequently called the 
white cedar, is now well known everywhere in this 
country. It grows wild in most of the eastern and 
middle States, but in greatest abundance on the banks 
of the Hudson, forming a conical tree, branched to the 



EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 565 

ground, and from twenty to forty feet high. Even without cHpping, 
it grows in a form almost perfect for high hedge screens, and bears 
the shears so well, that it may easily be kept to the height of three 
or four feet. It is beautiful in any form it is made to assume. 
The foliage has a bright green tone, which is slightly browned by 
the cold in winter. Fig. 179 is the usual form of specimens grow- 
ing on exposed hill-sides. 

Parsons' ARBOR-ViTiE. Thuja occidentalis compacta. — This is 
a beautiful sport of the native sort, of a golden-green tone, and 
globular form, nearly as broad as high. The warmth and bright- 
ness of its color are conspicuous. Its growth is slower, broader, 
and more compact, than the American or Siberian. 

Hovey's Arbor-Vit^. Thuja occidentalis hoveyii. — A pretty 
seedling of the common arbor- vitae, of dwarf habit, globular form, 
and warm green color. 

The Siberian Arbor-Vit^. Thuja siberica. — This most 
beautiful tree of the family has come amorig us in such a mysterious 
way, that even our indefatigable amateur arboriculturist, H. W. 
Sargent, does not seem sure of its origin or relationship. It greatly 
resembles the American arbor-vitae in all its good qualities, but has 
a more velvety tone of color, is broader in proportion to its height, 
and probably a lower tree or bush at maturit}'^ ; perfectly hardy, 
always beautiful, and regarded either as an evergreen shrub or 
small tree, unites more good qualities for common use than any 
other we know of. Josiah Hoopes, in his Book of Evergreens, 
claims it as a variety of the American arbor-vita. 

The Tartarian Arbor- Vit^. Biota tartarica (B. pyrami- 
dalis). — It is doubtful if it offers features distinct enough to distin- 
guish it at sight from the varieties of the American and the Siberian 
arbor-vitaes. Form compact, pyramidal ; foliage dark ; hardy. 

The American Golden Arbor-Vit^. Thuja occidentalis 
aurea. — A seedling brought to notice by H. W. Sargent, Esq., which 
he describes as having its new growth very distinctly yellow, the 
old foliage of a bright, clear green, both blending to form a most 
pleasing little tree, or shrub, and perfectly hardy. 



566 EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 

The Globe Arbor- Vit^. Thuja globosa. — This is a pretty 
dwarf shrub, very round and compact, and quite a favorite in the 
neighborhood of Philadelphia ; three to five feet high. 

The Tom Thumb Arbor-Vit^e. Thuja mmi?7ia ? — A roundish 
or oblate dwarf, of compact habit, which originated in the nurseries 
of Ellwanger & Barry, Rochester, N. Y., and is highly recom- 
mended by them. Height three to four feet. 

The Nootka Sound Arbor- Vit^. Thuja plicata. — This is a 
native of the Pacific slope, and differs from the indigenous arbor- 
vitse of the eastern States in the more vertical and flatter arrange- 
ment of its foliage plaits, and its shorter and stouter young wood. 
Very like the Siberian in the color of its leaves, but less rich in 
the massing of its foliage : quite hardy. 

The Gigantic Arbor- Vit^. Thuja gigantea. — A tree of the 
largest size, growing on the banks of the Columbia river, where it 
grows upwards of one hundred feet in height. It is said to de- 
velop into " a fine, umbrella-shaped top, and picturesque head." 
This form is unusual among evergreens, and so desirable, that, if it 
proves a characteristic of the tree, it must become popular for 
that reason alone. Hoopes, however, believes that it will not prove 
hardy, though it has not been tested long enough to determine this 
point fully. 

The Chinese Arbor-Vit^. Biota orientalis. — This is a little 
beauty when quite young, and marked by a warmer-toned green, 
and a finer quality of foliage, than the common American. It is 
also less regular in outline, and the foliage breaks apart into masses 
rather vertically. Unfortunately it has not proved hardy, and is so 
often injured by winter and summer, that instead of growing more 
beautiful as it approaches maturity, it becomes less comely, and 
after a half dozen years trial is generally pronounced scrawny. 
There is a tree in the Bartram garden south of Philadelphia, 
growing in a good exposure, which is twenty feet high, nearly as 
broad, and with a trunk ten inches in diameter ; but it is decidedly 
a meagre-foliaged tree. 



EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 567 

The Weeping Arbor-Vit^. Biota {Thuja) pendicla. — This is 
said to be a native of China, growing wild there ; also said to be a 
seedling originated in an English nursery. Both statements may 
be true ; as it is not impossible that the foreign seeds may have 
been planted accidentally. Hoopes is quite confident that it is a 
seedling sport of the Chinese arbor-vitae. It is a hardy tree of 
oblong form, vi^ith all its smaller branches quite pendulous, and 
regarded by those who have had it a long time as one of the most 
pleasing of the arbor-vitaes ; — perhaps, considering its peculiar 
weeping habit, the most interesting of all for a single specimen on 
a small place. Its beauty is heightened by winter protection. 

The Golden Arbor-Vit^. Biota o. attrea.— This exquisite 
little tree or rather shrub is a variety of the Chinese, and though 
not perfectly hardy, is more so than its parent. Its rare shade of 
green is truly golden, and its compact growth, pretty ovate form, 
and dwarf habit, combine to make it one of the most indispensable 
of evergreen shrubs. It is too easily protected in winter to make 
its slight tenderness a bar to its cultivation in all parts of the 
country. Height three to five feet. 

The Variegated Golden Arbor-Vit^, B. o. aurea variegata. 
— A variety originated in France. We have not seen it, and wdll . 
quote Hoopes' observations concerning it. " In our opinion it is 
the most distinct and beautiful of the variegated conifers. The 
rich golden-yellow is so exquisitely shaded and mellowed down to 
pure white, and again so prettily tipped with pink, as to cause the 
most inveterate hater of these oddities to respect it." In reply to 
Dr. Siebold's assertion that these variations are but results of disease, 
and must therefore be of weaker habit than normal plants, he 
remarks : " Practice certainly, in many instances, refutes this theory, 
for we frequently find the variegated forms even more hardy than 
the parent in its perfect state. A case in point is this variety, for it 
has proven itself less liable to injury from excessive cold weather, or 
sudden changes, than the species. It also stands our hot summers 
remarkably well. We also find the variegated yews to be more 
hardy than their parent." There is another variegated variety called 
the elegantissima, on which the ends only of the branches are marked 
with a warm yellow. 



568 EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 

The Pygmy Arbor- Vit^, Biota o. pygmcea, is the smallest of all 
the species, and of a rich dark-green color. 

Siebold's Arbor-VitjE. Biota a. nana. — A round compact 
dwarf of a bright green color. 

The Nepal Arbor-Vit^e. B. gracilis {B. nepalensis). — Form 
about the same as that of the American arbor-vitae. Foliage more 
delicate, and of a darker green. Quite hardy. The specimen 
from which we formed our opinion of this species was in Parsons' 
specimen ground at Flushing. Hoopes describes it as having a 
light-green color ; the one we observed (in the month of Septem- 
ber) was darker than either the American or the Siberian, which 
were growing near by. 

The Broad-leaved Arbor- Vit^. Thuiopsis dolobrata. — A new 
variety from Japan of strong growth. The branches are fastigiate, 
but drooping at their extremities and forming rather an open head. 
The foliage is a dark-green above and gray or " silvery " beneath. 
It is a very popular tree in China and Japan, where it reaches a 
height' of forty to fifty feet, and is also much esteemed in England ; 
but has not been cultivated long enough among us to test its 
hardiness. It is said to do best in shaded places and moist soil. 



THE CYPRESS FAMILY. 
Cupressus, Taxodium, Glypto-strobus, Retinispora. 

The evergreen species of cypress, famous in old British and 
Continental grounds for their cemeterial associations, their slow 
growth, great longevity and final size, are the types of the true 
cypresses or cupressus of the botanists Our native swamp white 
cedar, and some of the evergreen cypresses of California are classed 
under the same botanical head. The American deciduous cypress 
is named by botanists, Taxodium ; and the new deciduous species 
from China are classed separately under the name Glypto-strobus. 
Another class known as Japan cypresses are classed, botanically, 
under the title Bctinispora. 



EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 

Fig. i8o. 



669 




EVEBGBESN-WALK IN PAESONS' NURSEKT^ FLUSHING, L. I. 

The Common (British) Evergreen Cypress. Cupressiis 
sempervit'e?is. — A tree with dark foliage and fastigiate habit, re- 
sembling in mode of growth the Lombardy poplar, though not 
quite so slender. This tree, so generally grown throughout England 
and middle Europe, is found utterly. unsuited to our middle States. 
Sargent seems to have given up hope of acclimating any of the 
numerous English and Continental varieties. We shall, therefore, 
make no mention of them. The species which now give promise of 
hardiness, in the middle and southern States at least, are the new 
varieties from the Pacific slope. These are : the Lawson cypress, 
C. Lawsoniana, and the Nootka Sound cypress, C. nootkaeiisis^ more 
generally known by the botanical name, TImiopsis borealis. 



570 EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 

The Lawson Cypress. Cupressus Lawso?iiana. — This tree 
when young looks like a cross between a hemlock and a thrifty red 
cedar, with a dash of arbor-vitse blood, but is more airy and thrifty 
in growth than any of these trees. Its main stem rises with a very 
decided leadership, throwing off numerous branches nearly at right- 
angles,- and at irregular distances around it. Those which are near 
the base, taking a more upright direction as they grow in length, at 
last become almost vertical, and surround the centre stem so as to 
give the appearance of circles of smaller trees around the parent 
tree. The top growths of the main-stem, and of all the surrounding 
branches, bend with the same plumy grace as those of the hemlock ; 
but their growth being more rapid, this peculiar grace is a more 
marked feature of the tree. The growth of the leader is so rapid 
that it seems to lift itself out of and above the group of environing 
branches that form a dense mass below, so that all its gracefully 
curving branchlets are very conspicuous. The tree shown on the 
left of the vignette, page 569, is one of Parsons' specimens of this sort. 
The color of the foliage is about the same as that of the American 
arbor-vitae — perhaps not quite so bright. The young wood has a 
reddish-brown color, and smooth bark. Concerning the hardiness 
of this tree, accounts vary. At Parsons & Co.'s grounds in Flushing 
are very beautiful specimens sixteen feet high, in open ground, that 
do not seem to have been touched by the cold at any time. Mr. 
Sargent considers it hardy at his place at Fishkill, on the Hudson. 
Hoopes thinks it promises to be hardy near Philadelphia. Yet we 
have seen specimens from eight to ten feet high in a protected 
situation in the grounds of Thos. S. Shepherd, Esq., of "Edge- 
water," on the shore of Long Island Sound, near Mamaroneck, 
N. Y., badly injured by the winter of 1867 and ^62>, which was not 
unusually severe. This may, perhaps, be attributed to their growth 
in too rich a border where they were stimulated into a strong late 
fall growth. Hoopes mentions the necessity of avoiding this. At 
Rochester the hardiness of this species is considered doubtful. 
We would advise to take the benefit of the doubt, by testing it everj^- 
where in the United States. It grows to the height of one hundred 
feet in northern California. 

The C. I erec'a is a new English variety of exceedingly slender 



H VER G BE EN TBEES AND SHRUBS 571 

and compact habit, and the C. I. gracilis is another of a different 
type, said to be more graceful even than the common form. These 
seem likely to be the best adapted to small grounds. 

The Nootka Sound Cypress. Cupressus nootkaensis, Thiiiop- 
sis horealis. — This strongly resembles the Lawson cypress, but is 
more compact and less graceful ; about midway in general appear- 
ance between it and a Siberian arbor-vitae. The form at the 
bottom is globular in young trees, and the top conical. The lower 
branches are not disposed to rest on the ground, like those of the 
hemlock, Norway spruce, or even so much as those of the Siberian 
arbor-vitae, but curve upwards more decidedly. The foliage re- 
sembles that of the Siberian arbor-vitas, dark, but bright. Young 
wood a dark purplish-brown. Growth more rapid than that of the 
arbor-vitaes, but less than the Lawson cypress. When young it 
closely resembles the latter, but may be readily distinguished by 
handling the foliage, which is prickly, while Lawson's is soft to the 
touch. The tree grows to great size northward of the Columbia 
river, and has proved hardy, as far as we can learn, in all the States. 

The White Cedar Cypress. Cupressus thyoides (Chamcecy- 
paris). — We have never seen this native species in cultivation, from 
which we infer that it does not do well out of its native swamps. 
Hoopes, however, mentions having seen very beautiful trees of it, 
and one very perfect hedge ; and Emerson, in his " Trees of Massa- 
chusetts," speaks of it as " this graceful and beautiful tree." As it 
grows naturally in wet places, it is probable that it will develop its 
beauty only in soil that is cool and moist. 

The Golden Cypress or Cedar. C. variegata. — This, Sar- 
gent thinks simply a beautiful variety of the white cedar, one that 
is highly valued in England among variegated trees, and believed 
to be hardy here. 

The Fragrant Cypress, or Oregon Cedar. C.fragratis. — 
This tree is described in the proceedings of the California Academy 
of Natural Science as follows : " This species bears the nearest 
resemblance to Cupressus Lawsoniana, but differs from it most 



572 



EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 



strikingly in the brighter green of its foliage, and its far denser 
branchlets ; also in the leaves being narrower, much more angular, 
and sharper-pointed ; * * * it is also a tree of larger propor- 
tions in all respects." It grows to the height of one hundred and 
fifty feet, with a trunk six feet in diameter. When growing singly, 
it assumes a columnar form, with long, slender, pendulous branches. 
It has not, we believe, yet been tested in the eastern States. 



Fig. i8i. 



The Chinese Weeping Deciduous Cypress. Glypto-strobus 
sinejisis pendula ( Taxodium sineiisis pendula). — Though this be- 
longs to a species of the conifers, which are deciduous, they are in 
all other respects so allied in appearance 
with the evergreens, as usually to be classed 
with them. This variety in the neighbor- 
hood of New York is certainly the most 
beautiful and hardy of all the deciduous 
cypresses. Fig. i8i shows the form of the 
fine specimens in Parsons & Co.'s grounds 
at Flushing ; but no engraving can render 
the soft, downy tuftings of the foliage, or 
the warmth of its light green color. 




' Her sunny locks 



Hang on her temples like a golden fleece." 

The tree in its whole appearance is so 
distinct from all the trees generally cul- 
tivated in this country, that it is certainly 
one of the most desirable novelties among trees. We have seen it 
only in autumn, at which time the weeping character of the foliage 
is not marked, and the outline is distinctly formal. The pendu- 
lousness is only in the curl and droop of the young foliage, the 
branches radiating quite rigidly. It is known in China as the 
water pine, and found principally in the maritime districts. It is 
undoubtedly hardy in the neighborhood of New York and Phila- 
delphia, and at Sargent's place at Fishkill, on the Hudson. 
Whether it will succeed as well in the same latitude in the in- 
terior is doubtful ; but that it is hardy enough to plant in most of 
the States, with a little protection, there is good reason to believe. 



EVEBQEEEN TREES AND SMBUBS. 573 

Parsons & Co.'s superb specimens, which are now about twenty 
feet high, are in a deep, warm, sandy loam, and fully exposed in 
every way. The tree grows from twenty to thirty feet high, and 
casts its lower limbs as it rises ; so that at maturity its form is like 
that of a common pear tree, or somewhat more slender. 

The Deciduous or Swamp Cypress. Taxodium distichum. — 
This is the lofty and moss-hung tree of the gloomy maritime 
swamps of Virginia and the Carolinas, but becomes a stately 
tree of some beauty in open grounds near the sea south of 
Philadelphia; and there are many fine specimens around New 
York, some even in quite dry localities in the Central Park ; but it 
is quite inferior to the preceding in all respects for private grounds. 
The foliage is of fern-like delicacy, of a light green color, but rather 
thin. The trunk increases rapidly in size near the bottom ; the 
lower branches die out as the tree gains in height, and the top forms 
a conical pyramid, supported loftily at maturity on a straight and 
rapidly-tapering trunk. In the Bartram garden, south of Philadel- 
phia, is a tree, planted by John Bartram in 1749, which is now one 
hundred and twenty-five feet high, with a trunk twenty-eight feet in 
circumference at the base, growing healthily, and to all appear- 
ance rapidly. It is of course unsuited to small grounds. 

Japan Cypresses. Retinispora. — This new botanical family in 
general appearance resemble the junipers, and the arbor-vitaes, as 
much as the cypress. The following have . been in cultivation in 
this country long enough to be pretty well tested. 

The Heath-like Cypress. Retinispora ericoides. — The first 
small plants which were sent out from the nurseries in this country 
attracted universal attention by the density and moss-like delicacy 
of the foliage, its clear green, and the pretty pink tinge it often 
wears. But it has generally been voted nearly worthless on ac- 
count of a tendency to die by branches, and to lose its leaves. Our 
summer and winter climate seem alike uncongenial to it, and it has 
not, as far as we can learn, proved a perfectly healthy tree any- 
where in this country. 

The Japan Cypress, Retinispora obtusa, is reported hardy at 



574 EVER GREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 

Flushing. In Japan, on the mountains of the island of Nippon, it 
is a grand forest tree, from seventy to one hundred feet high, with 
a straight trunk from three to five feet in diameter. Its Japan- 
ese name signifies "tree of the sun." The plants in the nursery 
have a free, spreading growth, like red cedars, growing in strong 
soils, with foliage resembling that of the arbor-vitaes. The massy 
character of the foliage, and the free spreading growth, so rare 
among the arbor-vitaes, suggest that this tree, if its hardiness is 
established, is likely to take a conspicuous place among popular 
evergreens. The leaves have a warm green color, which they are 
said to retain throughout the winter. The twigs have a reddish 
color. 

The Golden Retinispora. R. pisifera aurea. — A smaller and 
slenderer tree than the preceding, also from Japan, just introduced, 
and said to be "promising." Sargent marks it for us as "one of 
the most beautiful of trees," and all those who have it on trial 
agree in considering it uncommonly beautiful and probably hardy. 



THE YEW FAMILY. 

Taxus, Cephalotaxus, Torreya, and Podocarpus. 

Whatever legendary and poetical interests are associated with 
the yews of the mother country, seem unlikely to be maintained 
in the United States. The islands of Britain have a climate pe- 
culiarly adapted to this tree. They there become trees with massive 
trunks and noble heads. Though quite a number of species are suf- 
ficiently hardy for general cultivation with us, and are among the 
most interesting of small evergreens, they cannot equal their pro- 
totypes in England, nor their rivals among those species for which 
our climate is best suited. There are specimens in England eight 
hundred years old, with trunks eight feet in diameter. The yews 
are of slow growth, but great duration, and generally noted for 
dark and dense foliage, resembling that of the firs, but the leaves 
are longer and thicker. A deep, moist, clayey soil, and partial 
shade, suit the tree best. The foliage loses the purity of its green, 
and becomes rusty when fully exposed to our summer sun. 



EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 575 

The English Yew. Taxus baccata. — This is the parent species 
of most English varieties. A bushy tree, of compact growth, ovate- 
conical form, and dark foliage. It is considered hardy at Newport 
and New York, but not in the interior in the same latitude. It 
should be planted only in sheltered situations, protected from 
wind and excessive sunlight. The rate of growth is from six 
inches to one foot a year. 

The Erect Yew. Taxiis b. erecta (strida). — This is a variety 
of the above, of exceedingly dark foliage, and fastigiate habit. Form 
ovate-conical. It is hardier than the parent, and better adapted to 
culture here. Fig. 42, page 141, is a group showing a pair of these 
trees behind a golden arbor-vitae. The golden green of the arbor- 
vitas contrasts finely with the very deep green of the yews, and the 
unusual fineness and verticality of the shadow-lines in the latter, is 
a peculiarity of this variety. 

The Golden Yew. Taxus baccata aw-ea (variegata). — This is 
an exquisite little shrub or tree; the leaves being touched with 
yellow just enough to give a golden-green tinge to its color. Cer- 
tainly one of the prettiest of dwarf trees for small grounds. Form 
irregularly conical or ovate. Hardier than the common yew. 

The Variegated-leaved Yew. Taxus elegantissima. — Quite 
similar to the above — the leaves being variegated sometimes with 
white, and again with yellow tips or lines. Hardy near New York, 
and almost hardy at Rochester. Form about the same as that of 
the golden arbor-vitae shown in Fig. 42. 

The Irish Yew. T. hibernica. — One of the slenderest of the 
yews, but not considered hardy even at Flushing, L. I. 

The Flattened Yew. T. adpressa. — A low spreading shrub 
of very dark fine foliage, and pretty, red berries. For shady places. 

Dovaston's Weeping Yew. T. Dovastoni. — This is considered 
very beautiful in England, its growth being decidedly pendulous. 
Sargent, in Downing's Landscape Gardening, alluded to it as hardy 
with him at Fishkill ; but he now marks it "tender." 

Heath-leaved Yew. T. ericoides. — Sargent speaks of this as 
a very pretty slender variety with minute foliage quite distinctive, 
and hardy with him in 186 1. He now marks it very hardy. This 
is not the same as Cypress ericoides already described. 



576 EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 

The American Yew, T. canadensis, is a spreading savin-like 
shrub that grows as if around the bottom of a bowl. Of no 
value. 

The Cluster-flowered Yews. Cephalotaxus. — These are 
modern additions to the family of yews introduced from China and 
Japan, that promise to be more hardy than the English yew, and 
to bear our sun without injury. Those we have seen are many- 
branched, wide-spreading shrubs with long thick leaves. 

The Plum-fruited Yew. Cephalotaxus drupacce ( Podocarpiis 
drupacea ; Taxus japonica). — Growing in the north of China, it is 
described as a compact evergreen tree, from twenty to thirty feet 
high, found wild on the mountains, and cultivated in the gardens. 
" The leaves are arranged in two rows, laterally along the branches, 
regularly opposite, rather close, leathery, stiff linear, slightly curved 
or falcate, bluntly tapering to a short acute spiney point * * from 
three-quarters to one and one-fourth inches long, of a deep glossy 
green above," etc. (Gordon). Branches straight, stiff, and spread- 
ing \ branchlets in two flat lateral rows, short and numerous. 
Believed to be hardy at New York and Fishkill. 

Fortune's Cephalotaxus. C. fortiuiii masada, C. f. femma. 
— These are male and female plants, both of which are known 
by the above popular name, but the femma is said to be less hardy 
than the mascula. We consider this one of the prettiest evergreen 
acquisitions of late years. In its early growth it forms a spreading 
shrub or bushy tree with many branches and branchlets, the latter of 
a light green color that contrast prettily with the pure deep green 
of the long stiff leaves, which are about two inches in length. The 
branchlets are generally described as drooping at the ends, but the 
specimens we have seen had not that character. Parsons & Co.'s 
best specimen is about seven feet high, and eight or nine feet in 
diameter, and of such peculiar appearance as to attract at once 
any observer of shrubs and trees. In China it is found from forty 
to sixty feet high, and the branches are represented to droop 
gracefully. So far we can only regard it in this country as a 
promising evergreen shrub which has proved hardy around New 
York, but which should be insured by adequate winter protec- 



EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 577 

tion. EUwanger & Barry do not think it will prove hardy at Ro- 
chester. 

The female variety has lighter colored foliage than the other, 
and bears coral-colored oval berries as large as acorns. 

Harrington's Yew. Cephalotaxtcs pedunculata (Taxus Har- 
ringtonia). — " A handsome small evergreen tree, growing from 
twenty to twenty-five feet high, with numerous spreading branches, 
mostly in whorls around the stem ; found abundantly in Japan, 
cultivated in gardens under the name of Junkaja" (Gordon). 
Hardly known yet in this country. 

Siebold's Spreading Yew, Cephalotaxus tcmbraculifera, is 
another species from the northern parts of China, noted there for 
the horizontal extension of its branches. Not tested yet in this 
country. 

The Podocarpus Yews.— This is a large branch of the family 
of yews which have been discovered within the last thirty years in 
China, Japan, and other parts of Asia, and South America. Most 
of them are tender, even in England ; but there is reason to hope 
that a few will prove hardy in our northern States. But lately 
introduced in American collections, and now 

, . 1 Fig. 182. 

on trial. 

The Japan Podocarpus. — Podocarpus ja- 
ponica. — Gordon describes this species as fol- 
lows : " Leaves alternate, flat, linear lanceolate, 
elongated, obtuse pointed, thick, leathery and 
stiff; from four to eight inches long, and about 
half an inch wide, with an elevated rib almost 
acute along the upper surface, but rounded 
on the under one, and tapering into a long, 
slender point at the apex, and into a short, 
stout foot-stalk at the base." The color of the foliage is the dark- 
est of greens ; but the very unusual size of its leathery leaves gives 
it a marked appearance among evergreens, that, with its pretty 
erect habit, will doubtless make it popular wherever hardy. It is 
considered so at Flushing, L. I., and at Fishkill, N. Y. ; but we 
have heard nothing from it in other places. Parsons' specimen, 
37 




578 EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 

Fig. 182, has not near so long or large leaves as Gordon describes. 
(May it not be the F. chinensis ?). 

There is a variegated variety, originated in some European 
garden, under the name of the Fodocarpus j. elegantissima, which 
has pale yellow leaves when they first expand, but change after- 
wards to the normal color. 

The Chinese Podocarpus. F. chinensis. — Gordon's descrip- 
tion of this corresponds in general to the foregoing, and with Par- 
sons' specimen of the F. japonica. 

■ The Corean Podocarpus, F. koraiana, is another similar 
fastigiate bush from China, reputed hardy in England, but not 
fully tested here. 

The Nubigean Podocarpus, F. nubigcena, from the province 
of Valdivia, in Chili, is reputed one of the most beautiful. Sar- 
gent supposes that the latitude and climate of southern Chili, 
where this tree is found, is a strong reason for believing that it 
will prove hardy with us. Having been there, we can state 
from personal knowledge, that the coast, further south than Val- 
divia, on the Pacific slope of the mountains, has a climate modi- 
fied by the ocean and air currents from the Pacific, so that there is 
never anything like severe winter there, though a vast amount of 
cold rains fall in winter on the coast ; and on the mountains the 
same moisture falls in snow : but it is only by crossing to the east 
side of the Andes, or several hundred miles south of Valdivia, or 
Chiloe, that winters of extreme cold like our own are experienced. 

The Torreyan Yews. Torreyas. — This is another botanical 
branch of the yew family, to which large additions have been made 
by the discoveries of botanists in China, Japan, and our Pacific 
slope. The name has been given in honor of Dr. Torrey, one of 
America's most indefatigable botanists, who was most prominent in 
bringing it into notice. The wood and foliage of most of the 
species emit a bad odor when bruised, and are therefore called 
stinking yews. " The only variety which bids fair to prove hardy in 
the northern States is the following, a native of Florida : 

The, Yew-leaved Torreya. T. taxifolia. — This has proved 
hardy at Mr. Sargent's place at Fishkill, on the Hudson. He says 



EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 579 

of it : " This one of our greatest accessions in the middle States, 
being now perfectly hardy with us, and very distinctive. It is a 
handsome, pyramidal tree, with numerous spreading branches, grow- 
ing from forty to fifty feet high, found in the middle and northern 
parts of Florida, where it is commonly known by the inhab- 
itants as stinking cedar, and wild nutmeg. Our best specimen 
is about eight feet high, very dense, showing nothing but foliage, 
like a thrifty arbor-vitae, and remarkable, particularly in winter, for 
the star-like appearance of the extreme tips of its shoots." 



THE SEQUOIA. Seguoia. 

This name has been given to those giant trees of California, 
popularly known as the redwood, and the big-tree of California, 
the latter being formerly named by botanists Washingtonia and 
Wellingtonia. 

The Big-Tree of California. Sequoia gigantea ( Washing- 
tonia, Wellingtonia). — The size of this giant among giants may 
be imagined by the fact, that through the hollow of one of the 
felled trees, a man on horseback rode seventy-five feet, and came 
out through a knot-hole in the side, without dismounting ! Trees 
three hundred feet high are known, and one has been measured, 
with a circumference of one hundred and six feet, four feet from 
the ground. 

At Rochester, in the specimen grounds of Ellwanger & Barry, 
are fine healthy specimens, from ten to sixteen feet high, that do 
not seem to be injured in winter. In form they are as conical as 
the balsam fir ; in foliage resemble the arbor-vitaes. The branches 
are numerous, straight, evenly and irregularly distributed from the 
trunk, quite horizontal, and small in proportion to the size of the 
trunk. The bark is of a light cinnamon color. The tree shows 
early a tendency to cast its lower branches. The trunk swells to 
great size at the base in proportion to the height of the tree, and 
diminishes regularly and rapidly above, like the cypress. Annual 
growth at the top from two to three feet. The foliage is mostly 



580 EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 

on the exterior of the tree, so that the stem and branches are 
plainly seen through it. It is not a beautiful tree, and deserves to 
be cultivated in ordinary grounds only as a curious souvenir of its 
mighty family on the Pacific slope. Hoopes does not consider the 
tree entirely hardy ; but we believe its hardiness is now pretty 
generally conceded. It is unreliable in transplanting, and should 
be bought in pots or boxes. 

The California Redwood. Sequoia sempervirens. — This and 
the preceding being almost equally famous for size, and both 
brought to notice about the same time, are often confounded. 
Sargent makes the following description of their differences : — " the 
foliage of the Sequoia sempervirens being flat, two-rowed and dark- 
green, while that of the Washingtonia ( S. giga?itea) is needle-shaped, 
spirally alternate, and on the branchlets very close and regularly 
imbricated like an arbor-vitae, besides being a light or yellowish- 
green." It has been found too tender to succeed in the northern 
States, but may grow healthily south of Washington. 



THE LAURELS. Zaurus. 

The Noble Laurel or Sweet Bay. Laurus nohilis. — This is a 
noble evergreen tree " or rather enormous shrub, sometimes growing 
to the height of sixty feet, but always displaying a tendency to 
throw up suckers ; and rarely, if ever, assuming a tree-like charac- 
ter " (Loudon). It is a native of the south of Europe and north of 
Africa. It was a favorite tree with the poets of mythology, and 
several of the Greek gods and goddesses were intimately associated 
with its poetical legends. At what period of history its leaves 
became emblems of victory is not known, but the Romans used 
them on all occasions where bravery and success were to .be 
symbolized. 

The noble laurel is considered hardy in and near London, but 
does not attain a great luxuriance north of it. It will probably be 
liable to winter-kill north of South Carolina and the Gulf States, 
though in favored locations it may thrive as far north as Richmond, 
Va. It has a thick aromatic leaf, smaller and more slender than 



EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 581 

that of the sassafras, about four inches long and one inch wide. 
Where hardy it is considered a superb tree for massive hedges. 

The Carolina Laurel or Red Bay. Laurel carolinensis. — 
An evergreen tree, indigenous from Virginia to Louisiana, and 
similar in character, in most respects, to the noble laurel above 
described. It forms a crooked trunk with few and irregular 
branches, and only becomes luxuriant in the low wet lands of the 
Gulf border, where it reaches a height of from fifty to seventy feet. 
It is less hardy than the Laurus nobilis. 

The Catesby Laurel. L. catesbiana. — This is a low ever- 
green shrub from five to ten feet high, growing on the sea-coast of 
Georgia and the Carolinas. It has smaller and slenderer leaves 
than the foregoing. How tender we do not know. 

The Portugal Laurel. Cerasus lusitanica. — An evergreen 
tree of the cherry family, native of Portugal and the Canary islands, 
where it becomes a huge bushy tree from thirty to sixty feet high. 
In the south of England it is considered hardy, and one of the 
most prized of gardenesque evergreens. It there ripens its seeds 
perfectly without protection, though in Paris it is treated as but 
half hardy. It grows in the form of a broad pyramidal bush, with 
dense foliage and branches diverging regularly from an erect stem. 
The leaves are from four to six inches long, slender, alternate, 
thick, glossy, and a very pure green color. Flowers in small 
racemes in June, Berries dark-purple. Rate of growth about one 
foot per year. Loudon remarks that the tree grows well in any 
soil that is very dry and poor, or very wet! Many specimens 
growing in England are remarkable for their low spreading forms. ' 
In Oxfordshire, at Blenheim, is a tree, or bush rather, seventeen 
feet high and one hundred feet in diameter ! The common form 
of head is a diameter one-half greater than the height. In the 
latitude of New York its cultivation is impracticable. 



THE GORDONIA. Gordonia. 

The Loblolly Bay, Gordonia lasianthus, is one of the 
splendid flowering trees of the southern States, where it is sub- 



583 EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 

evergreen, and grows in moist cool soils from thirty to eighty feet 
in height. At the north it can only be grown as a tub-shrub to be 
wintered under glass. The leaves are similar to those of the 
rhododendron family. Flowers single, white, four inches in diame- 
ter, and fragrant. 

The Pubescent GorDonia, G. pubescens, is a smaller deciduous 
species, becoming a tree from thirty to fifty feet high in the Gulf 
States, and diminishing to a shrub farther north. A little more 
hardy than the preceding, but unsuited to open-ground planting 
north of the Carolinas. Its large white flowers appear from May 
to August, and are exceedingly fragrant. It does best in a cool 
moist soil and sheltered situation. 



THE HOLLY, Ilex. 

Tlie hollies are mostly evergreens, and embrace species of all 
sizes from small shrubs to large trees ; and are natives of both 
continents. They grow slowly and live long. The name holly is 
supposed to be a corruption of holy, and the branches are always 
used in England to decorate dwellings and churches during the 
holydays of Christmas. The species thrive better than most trees 
in the shade and smoke of cities. 

The European Holly. Ilex aquifolium. —_ In the British 
islands this holly forms a very compact conical tree tM'enty to thirty 
feet high. Its leaves are glossy, deeply scolloped, and armed with 
many sharp points or spines. It bears clipping well, forms the 
most impenetrable of hedges in the moist mild climate of England, 
and is more free from the attacks of insects than other hedge trees ; 
but it endures neither the winters or summers of our middle and 
northern States. South of Washington, in shady situations, it 
sometimes develops its beauty. The varieties of this holly are very 
numerous, and vary much from each other ; and it is observed of 
the variegated-leaved sorts that they are quite as healthy in their 
appearance as the normal form. The most marked varieties are 
the smooth-edge-leaved, I. a. marginatiwi, having pointed-oval 
leaves with smooth edges, without prickles, thick and leathery ; the 



EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 583 

hedge-hog*hoIly, /. a. ferox, with leaves crowded with spines and 
rolled at the edges ; the white-edge-leaved, I. a. alba 7narginatu7)i, 
and the yellow-edge-leaved, /. a. aurea-marginatiim. 

The American Holly, Ilex opaca, is a beautiful conical ever- 
green tree, similar in appearance to the European sort, and some- 
what hardier, but not fully at home north of Washington, though 
grown with some success all over the country. In South Carolina 
it becomes a tree from sixty to eighty feet in height : in the middle 
States half that size, and at the north still less. The leaves are 
thick, tough, and very glossy, scolloped and armed with spines on 
their edges. Most specimens we have seen growing. in open ground 
at the north are not sufficiently covered with foliage to conceal the 
hard stiff ramification of the branches, which present an appearance 
similar to the pin oak. But if these were cut back to thicken the 
growth, the tree could doubtless be made to develop much of the 
beauty that has made the European holly a favorite for hedges ; 
the leaves of the American species having the same kind of 
glossiness. At the north it should be treated as a half-hardy 
shrub, and when clipped to promote a dense growth, the pruning 
should be done with a knife between the leaves, as the latter when 
cut have rusty edges that mar the cleanly character of the foliage. 
A deep, rich, cool soil, and rather a shady place, are essential to 
its handsome growth. 



MAHONIA, OR ASH-BERRY. Mahonia. 

These are mostly natives of the valley of the Columbia river, 
and the finest low evergreen shrubs we have. The leaves are thick 
and glossy like those of the holly, with scolloped and prickly edges. 
Though pretty hardv, they are often injured by cold in winter. If 
not planted where living evergreens protect them in winter, they 
should be well covered with evergreen boughs. Their growth is so 
low and bushy that this can easily be done. 

The Holly-leaved Mahonia, M. aquifolium^ is the best known 
variety. It forms a low broad bush covered with deep green glossy 
leaves, many of which in winter and spring are spangled with deep 



584 EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 

crimson or purple, and sometimes yellow, or mlnglec!*green and 
deep purple. Flowers small, yellow; April and May. It grows 
to the height of five to seven feet in its native wilds ; and ten feet 
in England. Probably five feet in height and five to eight in 
breadth is about its maximum size in our northern States. " In 
its native country it grows in rich vegetable soil, among rocks, or 
in woods, where it forms a thick and rich undergrowth." It grows 
better in partial shade than in an unprotected exposure. 

The Mahonia fascidaris is similar to the aqiiifolium, but has 
narrower and more deeply toothed leaves, which are lighter colored, 
and the plant is more tender. The Mahonia nervosa is a dwarf 
border-plant whose stem rises but a few inches from the ground, 
but the compound leaves of which are from one to two feet in 
length. A pretty and showy low plant. The M. repens, or creeping- 
rooted mahonia, resembles the aquifolium, but has a more oval leaf, 
and is a lower and less robust plant. 

Japan Mahonia. M. japonica ? — This variety has not long been 
grown in this country, but it is considered the hardiest of the 
family, and probably the most showy. 



THE ARBUTUS. Arbutus. 

A half hardy species of shrub or tree, mostly evergreens, and 
natives of countries with mild winters. ^ The A. tmido, variety 
rubra, is considered by Loudon the most ornamental variety of that 
species. It takes the form of a bush or tree, according to the care 
given it, and becomes in the south of England from twenty to 
thirty feet high. Evergreen. Flowers reddish, in drooping racemes ; 
September and December; fruit scarlet, hanging with the last 
blossoms. The A. hybrida milleri is a variety with more shov^y 
leaves and pink flowers. The Arbutus andrachne, A. andrachne, is 
distinguished by smaller and glossier leaves without serratures. 
Flowers greenish-white, in March and April. Not quite hardy in 
London. The tall arbutus, A. procera, is a variety from the north- 
west coast of North America, with large serrate leaves, forming a 
tree from ten to twenty feet high. 



EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 585 

The Madrona of the Mexicans, or Arbutus menziesii, is 
described in the report of the Pacific Railroad survey as follows : 
" A small tree twenty-five to thirty feet high, twelve inches diameter 
at the base. Found on the Willamette, Oregon, and ranges north of 
the Columbia, and is there called the laurel. The large, thick, and 
shining leaves, the smooth and colored bark, give this tree a tropical 
look, recalling the Magnolia grandiflora in its general aspect. The 
berries are red and resemble morello cherries. When ripe they are 
quite ornamental, and, together with the rich foliage, flowers, and 
colored bark, renders it one of the handsomest trees I saw." It 
seems as if this ought to be hardy in our middle States, but we 
have not heard that it has been acclimated on this side the Rocky 
Mountains. It is described by a recent writer as the most beauti- 
ful small tree of the Pacific slope. 



THE BOXWOOD. Buxus. 

This beautiful family of evergreens includes small trees as well 
as shrubs, but is best known by the shrubby boxwood used in old 
gardens to form borders for walks. There is no other evergreen so 
dwarfish, delicate, and beautiful, and which is so facile under the 
shears or the pruning-knife to shape into any desired form of ver- 
dant sculpture, for which its size adapts it. The dwarf-box is used 
for edgings, and the larger sorts, called tree-box, are only varieties 
of the same species, distinguished as follows : 

The Evergreen Tree-box, Buxus sempervirens, is a native of 
many parts of Europe, found in a natural state as an under-growth 
among other trees. It becomes a tree from twelve to twenty feet 
in height, growing very slowly, and attaining great age. When 
grown without clipping, it does not form so dense a surface of 
foliage as the dwarf-box exhibits, and the greatest beauty is there- 
fore obtained by keeping it within less than the maximum dimen- 
sions. Grown in open, sunny situations, the foliage is a warm, 
yellowish-green color ; but in partial shade, and in the cool, deep 
soils, which are most congenial to the species, the color is a deep, 
glossy green. 



586 EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 

The Variegated-leaved Box-trees, B s. argentea and B. s. 
awea, are, as their names imply, simply marked with white or 
yellow-edged leaves. In the shade these markings are incon- 
spicuous, and in the full sun they have not a healthy appearance, 
so that, on the whole, they are of less value than the un-variegated 
sorts. There is a variegated-leaved boxwood tree in the old 
Bartram garden, south of Philadelphia, which is eighteen feet in 
height, twenty feet in breadth, with a trunk ten inches in diameter, 
the form resembling that of a common apple tree, but with light, 
pendulous spray, and delicate foliage, making altogether a very 
charming small tree. It is probably about a hundred years old. 

The Dwarf or Garden Boxwood, B. s. suffruticosa, is usually 
seen from six to eighteen inches in height, but grows to a massive 
bush if allowed time for expansion. There is a specimen in the 
grounds of Miss Price, at Germantown, Pa., eight feet in height 
and twelve feet in greatest extension, that is an exquisite mound of 
the richest verdure from the lawn to its crown. No other ever- 
green shrubs form so naturally into smoothly-rounded surfaces, or 
present such a velvety tone of foliage, as old dwarf box-woods. 
They rarely attain their full size, or best tone of color, except where 
partially shaded, and are not quite hardy away from the sea-coast 
north of Philadelphia, though grown with partial success in all the 
northern States, and in Upper Canada. Edgings are made with 
cuttings of one year's growth, and should be protected at the north 
in winter for many years after they are set. June is the best time 
for trimming them. The dwarf-box forms an exquisite little shrub 
when grown alone, and is planted less than it deserves to be. 



THE RHODODENDRONS. Rhododendron. 

Rhododendrons are indigenous on both continents. They form 
shrubs from one to ten feet in height, the breadth ordinarily about 
equal to the height, with thick, glossy, smooth-edged leaves, of a 
slender elliptical form, three to five inches long. Their flowers are 
borne in terminal clusters close to the leaves, the separate flowers 
varying from one inch to two inches in diameter, and the clusters 



EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 587 

from two to six inches. The colors range from pure white to 
pink, yellow, lilac, crimson, and deep purple, and their variegations. 
Period of bloom about one month, varying in time on different 
varieties from May to August, but mainly in June and July. 

The following are the printipal species from which the varieties 
now in cultivation have sprung ; but the various products of hybrid- 
ization have so far surpassed the originals in beauty and hardiness, 
that the latter are of little importance practically, except to the 
growers of new seedling varieties, and to show what the gardener's 
skill can effect : 

The Pontic Rhododendron, R. ponticum, is a native of Ar- 
menia, in Asia Minor, and in England becomes a spreading bush 
from six to fifteen feet high, and of greater breadth. It does best 
in shade, and cool, moist or tenacious soils ; and is not hardy in 
our northern States. Flowers in June, of a purplish color. 

The American Rhododendron, R. maximum, is almost a 
tree, but pf a straggling, open growth. It is oftenest found wild in 
shady, moist, rocky ground, contiguous to the humid atmosphere of 
running streams, where it grows ten to fifteen feet high, and blos- 
soms from June to August. Flowers a pale red color. Found 
from Canada to the Gulf States. There is a wild native variety 
with larger leaves, which attains greater size, and bears purple 
flowers in May and June, known as the R. m. purpureiwi. 

The Catawba Rhododendron. R. catawbaensis. — This is a 
native of the mountains from Virginia to Georgia, and forms a 
lower and more compact bush than the preceding ; and, though not 
indigenous so far north, is yet the parent of varieties that are the 
hardiest and most beautiful in the northern States. Its leaves are 
the handsomest, and hybrids from it bear full exposure to the sun 
in common soils better than most others. 

The Dotted-leaved Rhododendron, R. punctatum, is an- 
other wild variety of the south, with pink flowers. 

The Golden-flowered Rhododendron, R. crysanthemum, is 
a very dwarf variety, with yellow flowers ; found in Siberia and 
Kamtschatka. 

The Caucasian Rhododendron, R. cmicasicum, is a dwarf 
sort, which grows only a foot in height on its native mountains. 



588 EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 

With the above sorts to work upon, British and Continental 
gardeners have originated thousands of seedlings of all colors and 
qualities, large bushes and small, tender green-house varieties, and 
hardy sorts, that bear full exposure to the sun in summer and the 
cold in winter, and well adapted to common use everywhere. Of 
the latter the following is a choice list of varieties recommended by 
J. R. Strumpe, Esq., of Flushing, one of the most skillful American 
cultivators of rhododendrons. These have all been tested in open 
ground for many years, and are recommended for combining good 
foliage with fine flowers. 

i?. album candidissima. — A dwarf bush. — The best white-flowered 
variety. 

R. album, elegans. — Tree-like habit ; blush-white flowers. 

R. albu77i grandiflorum. — A large bush ; foliage handsome ; 
flowers white. 

R. bicolor. — Tall straggling grower. Rose-colored flowers. 

R. blandyanum. — Bushy and dwarf. Flowers bright cherry. 

R. blandicm. — Bush middle size. Flowers lilac-white ; late. 

R. everestiafimn. — Dwarf, round bush. Rosy-lilac with yellow 
centre. 

R. gloriosum. — Handsome tree-like form. Large blush clusters. 

R. grandiflorum. — One of the most prolific bloomers. Rose to 
crimson. 

R. purpureuni elegans. — Dwarf, bushy. Large trusses of purple 
flowers. 

R. Leeii purpureuin. — Lee's dark purple. Middle size, bushy. 
The best dark purple. 

R. roseum elegans. — Low and bushy. Best dwarf with rose 
flowers. 

R. speciosum. — Large bush. Flowers light-pink, and late. 

It has usually been recommended to form a peculiar soil for 
the rhododendrons, to resemble that where they are found wild ; 
but the best cultivators are now repudiating that idea, as far as 
relates to the hardy hybrids from the catawbaensis, and recommend 
deep culture in ordinary garden loams containing some clay. 



EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 589 



THE KALMIA. Kalmia. 

This evergreen shrub, also known as the American or mountain 
laurel, in its wild state is smaller than the rhododendrons, and is 
found from Canada to the Gulf States in rocky, shady, and moist 
places, such as suit that shrub. It has not been hybridized and 
improved by culture to near so great an extent as the rhododen- 
drons, and the natives of the woods being difficult to grow into 
thrifty shrubs in common soils and exposures, have not been much 
used for embellishment. The indigenous varieties are : 

The Broad-leaved Kalmia. K. latifoUa. — Height three to 
six feet. Leaves thick, glossy (in the shade) long and slender. 
Flowers in clusters, in June and July, white to red. 

The Narrow-leaved Kalmia. K. angustifolia. — Known as 
sheep laurel. A dwarf shrub with clusters of red flowers, in June. 
Two feet high. 

The Glaucous-leaved Kalmia. K. glauca. — An upright 
shrub two feet high, bearing red flowers in May. 

All these species are charming shrubs where growing in con- 
genial soil, shade, and moisture, but do not develop much beauty 
in open situations and with common culture. 



EVERGREEN BERBERRIES. 

Some evergreen species have been introduced into England 
which are esteemed. The following may be adapted to this country : 

Darwin's Evergreen Berberry. B. Darwini. — Described 
(in England) as " a thoroughly hardy evergreen, with neat shining 
dark-green foliage, and in the spring covered with deep orange-colored 
flowers." It is on trial in our nurseries ; also the B. neuberti. 
Loudon mentions the sweet-fruited evergreen berberry, B. dulcis, 
which grows in the neighborhood of the Straits of Magellan, as " an 
elegant evergreen bush," five feet or more in height ; also some 
Asiatic varieties which are not yet in cultivation in our nurseries, 
and probably not of sufficient merit to warrant their culture. 




590 EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 



THE ANDROMEDAS. Andromeda {Leucothce of Loudon.). 

Low evergreen, or sub-evergreen, shrubs ; mostly natives of the 
southern States, some of which have come into notice at the north 
within a few years, and prove valuable acquisitions in the middle 
States. 

The Andromeda fiorihimda, Fig. 183, is "the 
^' most charming dwarf evergreen shrub we have. 

It grows well in the Central Park, and in private 
gardens near New York ; but is extremely difficult 
to propagate, and therefore scarce, and high- 
priced. It forms a very compact oblate shrub, two to three feet 
high, and much broader. The leaves resemble those of the privet 
in color, size, and form. Flowers in May and June, small, white, 
in spikes or racemes three to five inches long, projected beyond 
the leaves. An exquisite shrub while in bloom, and of conspicuous 
neatness of form and foliage throughout the season. 

The A. axillaris is a dense-leaved compact spreading shrub, 
three feet high. Flourishes in the Central Park, New York. 
Flowers small, in white spikes, in May and June. The leaves turn 
a brilliant reddish-purple in autumn. 

The A. catesbeii or shiny-leaved, is a pretty variety with glossy 
leaves which turn to a brilliant reddish-purple in autumn. Size 
same as preceding. 

A. spimdosa is a low variety, evergreen, native of Canada, which 
we have not seen in cultivation ; said to resemble the preceding. 



THE COTONEASTER. Cotoneaster. 

The Small-leaved Cotoneaster, C. microphylla, and the 
Round-leaved, C. rotundifolia, are prostrate evergreen shrubs, 
adapted to creep on rock-work or walls. Loudon says of the former : 
" It is exceedingly hardy " (in England), " and forms a fine plant 
on rock-work or on a lawn where it has room to extend itself. 
A plant at High Close, of about ten years' growth, was six feet 



EVERGREEN TREES AND SHRUBS. 591 

high, and forms a dense bush twenty-one feet in diameter. Grafted 
standard high on the thorn or any of its cogeners, this shrub forms 
a singular and beautiful evergreen drooping tree ; or it will cover 
a naked wall nearly as rapidly as ivy." Flowers white in May 
and June. Berries bright-scarlet, ripe in August, and remaining 
on all winter. Not hardy at Rochester. 



THE AUCUBA. Aucuba japonica. 

An evergreen shrub from Japan, six to ten feet high. The 
leaves are pale-green, spotted with yellow. It is one of the most 
ornamental of variegated-leaved shrubs in England, but requires 
protection in our northern States, and is not classed as more than 
half-hardy at Rochester. It is in some locations healthy and 
beautiful, but not usually so north of Philadelphia, nor anywhere 
so fine as in England. 



THE JAPAN EUONYMUS. Euonymics japonicus. 

Evergreen or sub-evergreen trees and shrubs of many and 
widely differing characters, which are not hardy north of New York, 
and which have not been tested sufficiently to enable cultivators 
to judge them well. Among them are many variegated-leaved 
varieties. 



THE DAPHNE CNEORUM. 

An evergreen dwarf shrub or trailing .plant of great beauty, 
which has become very popular during the short time it has been 
in cultivation in this country. It is a native of the mountains 
of Switzerland, growing naturally in moist soils and sheltered 
places. The flowers are a bright pink color, in April, and again 
in September. As a shrub it should be grafted on stocks of the 
Daphne laiireola. Height one to two feet. Hardy. 



Fig. 184. 




CHAPTER VI 



VINES AND CREEPEES. 



N'" O one needs to be reminded of the beauty of vines and 
creepers. Many of the most vigorous and beautiful 
vines in the world are indigenous in our woods, in all 
the States ; growing on the loftiest trees, and clothing 
even their summits with the waving streamers of their foliage. The 
different sorts of vines may be distinguished as creepers, twiners, 
climbers, and trailers. The creepers are those which throw out 
little roots from their stems as they climb, by which they attach 
themselves to the bark of trees and rough walls, like the Virginia 
creeper and English ivy. Twiners, honeysuckles for instance, rise 



VINES AND CREEPERS. 593 

by winding round and round objects with which they come in con- 
tact. Climbers rise by having tendrils which lay hold of twigs of 
trees, or fix themselves in crevices, and support the vine till its 
large arms have wreathed themselves upon some other support — 
grape-vines, for instance — or without tendrils, by the mere force of 
their growth overlying the branches of trees and finding support by 
hanging over them, like the wild roses. Trailers are those which 
jorefer to creep upon the ground like the low vine blackberry. 

The Virginia Creeper. Ampelopsis virginiana. — Often called 
the American ivy, though it has little resemblance to the true ivy 
except in its power of adhesion to the bark of trees, and to walls, 
and in the fact that it forms an equally luxuriant mass of foliage 
upon them. The leaf is composed of five irregularly serrate leaf- 
lets, radiating from a common point of intersection. These are 
often, but not always, quite glossy on the upper surface. The vine 
is furnished with tendrils which flatten out against the tree or wall 
with which they come in contact, and become auxiliary roots, 
attaching themselves firmly wherever they can find adequate sup- 
port. Roots also break out from the stem of the vine where it 
comes in contact with such objects. The growth of the Virginia 
creeper is very rapid. We have seen the vines streaming from the 
parapet of a church tower seventy feet high, within eight years after 
being planted. On stone, or unpainted common brick, it forms a 
thick mass of graceful verdure, covering every part, and pushing out 
its young shoots in airy profusion from the body of the foliage. It 
is by far the finest of vines in this country for covering walls where 
it can take root, or for covering tree trunks ; but on brick walls that 
are ordinarily smooth it needs some fastening in addition to that 
which its own rootlets give it, to prevent the wind, which takes 
strong hold of its waving branches, from detaching the entire vine. 
.In autumn the foliage turns to the brilliant crimson or purpHsh- 
crimson that landscape painters rarely fail to make a conspicuous 
feature in representations of American autumn scenery. The vine 
is found wild everywhere in the States, and grows readily from 
layers or cuttings. The flowers are greenish-purple, and incon- 
spicuous ; fruit a purple berry, in large flat clusters. 
38 



594 VINES AND CREEPERS. 

The Pepper-vine. Ampelopsis bipi7inati. — A variety with 
compound pinnate leaves, of lesser growth than the preceding, and 
not so close a creeper. 

The Akebia. Akebia quinata. — A vine of delicate appearance, 
recentl}^ introduced, which has proved thrifty and hardy ; and 
covers whatever it climbs upon so well with foliage that it is already 
quite a favorite. Flowers in clusters, bluish-violet, sweet-scented j 
in May and June. 

The Birthwort. Aristolochia. — This is a twiner and climber. 
It is therefore unsuited for walls ; but its great heart-shaped leaves, 
from seven to twelve inches in diameter, borne with tropical lux- 
uriance, make the finest exhibition of massy foliage for covering 
isolated artificial constructions of anything we know of It is 
found wild in the middle States, and climbs to the tops of lofty 
trees. The flowers are the shape of a syphon or hook, of a yel- 
lowish-brown color, borne in May and June. It requires a deep 
rich dry soil. 

The Common Trumpet Creeper. Bignonia (Tecoma) radi- 
cans. — This is a true creeper, with long pinnate leaves composed of 
seven to eleven leaflets. It adheres to the bark of trees and to 
walls with the same tenacity as the Virginia creeper, and its growth 
is equally vigorous, but its vigor tends more to the top, so that the 
trunk and large branches become bare as it grows old. The leaves 
appear late in the spring, and are not brilliant in autumn. Its 
magnificent trumpet-shaped flowers are from three to four inches in 
length, borne in clusters in August and September, and of a brilliant 
orange color. It is a superb vine to grow on old evergreen trees 
that are not in themselves pleasing. 

The Large-flowered Trumpet Creeper. Bignonia (Teco7na) 
grandiflora. — This is a Chinese variety with much larger, more 
open, and equally brilliant flowers of similar color, and with 
similar foliage to the trumpet creeper, but not quite so vigorous and 
hardy. Flowers pendant, in large clusters, in July and August. 

The Dark Red Trumpet Creeper, B. (T.) atrosanguinea, is 



VlJSrUS AND CREEPERS. 595 

a variety originated in France, distinguished by the crimson purple 
color of the flowers. 

The Yellow-flowered Trumpet Creeper, B. ( T.) flava 
speciosa, is a variety with flowers colored as its name imports. 

The Bitter Sweet. Celastrus scandens. — A twining, wiry- 
wooded vine, with handsome, glossy, pointed leaves. It twines so 
tightly around the stems of young trees as frequently to kill them. 
Flowers in June, violet color, and inconspicuous. The berries are 
red, and showy in autumn, when they burst open, and display 
orange-colored capsules ; but they are poisonous. Height fifteen 
to thirty feet. Of little value for culture. 

The Cissus. Cissus. — A running vine, resembling the Vir- 
ginia creeper in its general appearance, but not of equal beauty. 
There is a variegated-leaved variety, quinquefolia variegata. 

Clematis or Virgin's Bower. Clematis. — The species are 
very numerous ; some natives of Europe, and others of our own 
country. All are twining, of slender, irregular growth, delicate 
foliage, and marked fragrance of blossoms. They require artificial 
support, and are adapted to cover arbors, bowers, and low trees, or 
to be trained on verandas, but not to creep on tree-trunks, or to 
decorate walls. The petioles of the leaves serve as tendrils. 
There are many charming varieties in the south, not hardy at the 
north, and scores of hybrids and varieties have been originated. 

The European Sweet-scented Clematis, C. flamula, has 
compound leaves, with very narrow leaflets. The flowers are quite 
small, white, borne from July to October, and exceedingly fragrant. 
Extent of mature vines from fifteen to thirty feet. 

The White-vine Clematis, C. vitalba, is a stronger-wooded 
vine than the preceding, with broader leaves, greenish white, incon- 
spicuous flowers, and the distinguishing peculiarity of seeds around 
which grow long silky tufts or tassels of a greenish white color, 
forming a feathery mass of beautiful effect in August and Septem- 
ber, when covering roofs, low trees, or arbors. These tufts have 
given the names of " old man's beard " to this species. The vine 



596 VINES AND CBEEPERS. 

quickly grows bare of foliage towards the bottom, and displays all 
its beauty late in the season, and at the summit, where the fresh 
growth rests in masses. A useful vine to cover unsightly roofs. 

The American White Clematis. C. virgi?iica. — Similar in 
appearance to the preceding, but with more profuse and conspicu- 
ous white flowers, in August, and less showy seed plumes. 

The Vine-bower Clematis. C. viticella. — -This is a more 
showy species, bearing much larger flowers than the preceding 
sorts, of various colors, blooming from June or July to October, 
and two inches or more in diameter. Varieties. — The C. viticella 
venosa has rich purple-colored flowers, touched with crimson, and 
blooms profusely from June to October : considered the best. The 
C. V. flora plma has double flowers of the same color. The C. v. 
ceriilea has blue flowers, quite large. 

The Showy-flowered Clematis. C. Florida.— K Japanese 
species, with flowers white, blue, and purple, two to three inches in 
diameter, from June to September. Growth slender, and not quite 
hardy. 

The Large Azure-flowered, C. azurea grandiflora, is a 
Chinese species, not long introduced, with flowers larger than the 
native or European sorts. The C. cerulea, of the same species, 
bears the finest blue flower. Both are hardy, and pretty, woody 
vines. 

The C. Sophia, a Japanese variety with very large lilac blos- 
soms ; and the C. Helena, another with very large white blossoms, 
are both elegant vines, but require protection in winter. 

Honeysuckles. Lonicer a. —These most cherished vines have 
been gathered from all parts of the world, and the species hybrid- 
ized and improved until their beautiful varieties are so numerous, 
that, like the roses, they are almost innumerable, and a description 
of them would fill a small volume. The best varieties are the most 
suitable of all vine decorations for verandas and porches. We 
shall merely mention a few sorts. 

The Woodbine Honeysuckle. Z. peridymenum. — A native 
of Europe. One of the most showy in its flowers, which are red 
outside and buff within ; June and July ; berries deep red. 



VINES AND CREEPERS. 597 

The Late Red Honeysuckle, L. p. serotinum, is simply a late 
variety with darker flowers, and very showy during its blooming. 

The Dutch Honeysuckle, Z. p. belgicum, differs from the 
first only in being more shrubby. 

The Yellow-flowered Honeysuckle, F. flava, is a native 
of our States, half hardy, with large ovate leaves nearly joined at 
the base, and bright yellow flowers in June and July. 

The Trumpet Honeysuckles. L. sempervirens. — Indigenous, 
and sub-evergreen at the south. Flowers scarlet, and borne 
throughout the summer season after May. The H. s. superba and 
H. s. Browni are superior varieties. 

The Chinese or Japan Monthly Honeysuckles. L. japon- 
zVdT.— Sub-evergreen, and not quite hardy ; but of robust growth, 
densely clothed with leaves, constantly in bloom and deliciously 
fragrant, and of course universally popular. Protection is so easily 
given them that their slight unhardiness is a small objection to their 
use. The varieties are very numerous. Among them is the Gold- 
veined-leaved sort, L.j.folies aurea reticulata, the leaves of which 
are exquisitely veined with gold lines, each leaf as pretty as a 
blossom, making it one of the most interesting to plant in porches 
or verandas among the darker leaved sorts. A moderate grower. 

The Evergreen Ivy. Hedera. 

" Creeping where no light is seen, 
A rare old plant is the ivy green." 

" The common evergreen ivy is a rooting climber ; but when 
these roots are opposed by a hard substance which they cannot 
penetrate, they dilate and attach themselves to it, by close pres- 
sure on the rough particles of its surface." Unless, however, 
the surface presents some crevices into which roots can penetrate 
a little, the plant cannot sustain itself on a wall by the mere 
adhesion of its root-mouths' against it ; in other words, it cannot 
sustain itself on a hard and smooth stone surface. In this respect 
it is neither stronger nor weaker than our Virginia creeper. The 
evergreen ivy can hardly be said to have become domesticated 
in this country. Our summers are too hot and dry, and our 
winters too cold for it; and it rarely clothes lofty walls with 



598 VINES ANB CREEPERS. 

such masses of verdure as in the British islands. In cities, on 
north walls, and sheltered corners of church towers and buttresses, 
it occasionally mounts and covers them, suggesting the beauty for 
which it is renowned in the moist mild climate of England ; but 
these instances are exceptional in the northern States. 

It is believed that all the varieties of the ivy may be grown as 
shrubs, and become quite valuable on account of the unusual 
purity of color of their evergreen foliage throughout the year. By 
planting an elm-post, say four feet above the surface of the ground, 
and ivies at the foot of it, they will cling to the post, and can be 
protected upon it for a few years in winter with straw. After they 
are well rooted, and form a mass several feet in thickness around 
the post, they will not need further protection in most parts of the 
northern States. No vine we have is so well adapted to cover the 
trunks of old dead trees which have had their tops cut off. 

The varieties do not vary widely. The English Ivy is known 
as H. -vulgaris. The Irish Ivy, If. canarienses, has a leaf a little 
larger. This is the variety most planted in this country, and usually 
considered the hardiest. Then there are the Gold-striped, H. 
foleis aureis, the Silver-striped, H. foleis argenteis, the Giant- 
leaved, H. 7-agneria7ia, and nuinerous others with some mark of 
difference from the normal form. 

The Poison Ivy, Jihtis ioxicodejidron, is also a beautiful native 
creeping shrub with fine glossy leaves, but the plant is a fearful 
poison to some persons, and should not be allowed to grow in 
settled neighborhoods. It may be readily distinguished from the 
Virginia creeper when in leaf by its three instead of five leaflets, 
and by their smooth edges ; the Virginia creeper having strongly 
serrate leaves. Its wood is somewhat stronger and more stubby 
than that of the latter, and when the vine is attached to trees it 
sends out stiff shoots like branches, which do not fall gracefully 
like those of the Virginia creeper. 

The Grape-vine. Vitis. — No intelligent person needs to be 
reminded that grape-vines are among the most beautiful as well as 
valuable of climbers. There is much difference in the habitual 



VINES AND C E E E P ER S. 599 

healthiness of different varieties which bear good fruit. The 
Clinton and the Concord are probably the most healthy and pro- 
ductive vines in the northern States when left to grow naturally ; 
and their fruit, though not of the best for table use, makes a fine 
wine when carefully made and kept long enough. The Isabella, 
Catawba, Diana, Delaware, and a host of newer sorts, all do well 
in the middle States, but require more care than the two first 
named. In the southern States other varieties are more esteemed. 
We believe that all our native vines are usually trimmed too much, 
and their healthfulness impaired by it ; and that if their roots have 
a deep dry soil their tops may be allowed to cover a great space. 

The Periploca. Feriploca g/'ceca. — A shrub from France, also 
known as the Virginia silk-vine, which is a vigorous twining vine, 
with large clean-cut, glossy, wavy leaves. The flowers are small, 
of a rich velvety brown ; in July and August. Their odor is said 
to be unwholesome to those long exposed to it, and the vine should 
not therefore be planted on porches or near to windows. 

Climbing Roses. — See roses in Chapter V, Part II. 

The Periwinkle, or Running Myrtle. Vmca. — A trailing 
evergreen that covers the ground rapidly, and is adapted to make a 
deep mat of verdure in shady places under trees where grass will 
not grow. It bears blue flowers which appear constantly from 
March to September. 

The Wistaria. Glycine. Wistaria. — Twining vines of great 
vigor, indigenous in our country, and in Asia; with compound 
pinnate leaves, and long racemes of blue or lilac flowers. 

The American, or Shrubby Wistaria. W. (G.)frutescens. — 
A free-grower, indigenous in the middle and southern States. Leaves 
composed of nine to thirteen leaflets. Flowers bluish-purple in 
shouldered racemes about six inches long, and borne from July to 
September. 

The Chinese Wistaria. W. (G.) sinensis. — This most 
vigorous of twining vines was introduced from China to England in 



coo VINES AND CREEPERS. 

1816, but was little known in this country until within thirty years. 
There is no twining vine that will mount so rapidly, or that will 
cover so great a space. Planted at the foot of a lightning-rod it has 
been seen to mount to the top of a five-story house within four 
years after planting. Mr. Fortune, the great botanist, gives the 
following account of a famous vine which he saw in a Japanese 
city: — "On our way (May 20th) we called at Nanka Nobu to see 
a large specimen of Glycine ( Wistaria) sinensis which was one of 
the lions in this part of the country. It was evidently of great age. 
It (the trunk) measured at three feet from the ground, seven feet in 
circumference, and covered a space of trellis-work 60 x 102 feet. 
The trellis was about eight feet in height, and many thousands of 
the long racemes of glycine hung down nearly half way to the 
ground. One of them which I measured was three feet six inches 
in length ! The thousands of long drooping lilac racemes had a 
most extraordinary and brilliant appearance." On page 244 some 
v/istaria vines, in Germantown, Pa., are mentioned, which have 
covered the head of a lofty hemlock tree, and almost hid it from 
sight under their own more luxuriant growth. If the vine has an 
opportunity to keep on growing vertically, it soon loses its foliage 
towards the bottom. It should therefore have a place for hori- 
zontal expansion in order to exhibit its greatest beauty, unless 
wanted to cover tree-tops. The foliage is composed of long pinnate 
leaves of many leaflets. The flowers appear in May and June, and 
again in August. They are borne in great abundance in long loose 
pendulous racemes from eight inches to several feet in length, and 
are mostly of a pale-blue or lilac color. 

The Chinese White Wistaria, W. ( G.) sinetisis alba, is a re- 
cently imported variety with white flowers ; otherwise resembling 
the preceding. 

The W. brachybotria is a variety with shorter racemes of more 
fragrant light-blue flowers. The W. brachybotria rubra is a variety 
with reddish-purple flowers. The W. inagnifica is a new variety 
with lilac blossoms, believed to be a cross between the Chinese 
wistaria and the American species ; the W. frutescens alba is 2 
white-flowered seedling of the latter. 



APPENDIX. 



The following tables are prepared merely to facilitate selections of trees and shrubs on the 
basis of size and growth alone. IDeciduous trees are arranged by classes in three tables, as follows : 
First, IDeciduous trees of the largest class. Second, Deciduous of secondary size. 
Third, Deciduous trees of the smallest class. The usual growth, under good culture, 
at twelve years from the seed, is approximated ; and the ordinary height and breadth the tree 
attains at maturity, in the latitude of New- York City. Evergreen trees and shrubs are divided into 
three similar classes, except that evergreen shrubs are included with the smallest evergreen trees. 
Deciduous shrubs form a separate class, with their development indicated at six years after plant- 
ing such plants as are usually received from nurseries ; and also at maturity. These estimates of 
size are all based on a supposed good soil and culture ; and for specimens having an open exposure. 

The trees are classed as of the first, second, or third class, in size, on the basis of their entire 
weight. The Lombardy poplar, for instance, by height belongs to trees of the first class, but by 
breadth ranks with the smallest ; it is therefore put between the two extremes in the second class. 

When trees are budded or grafted on other stocks, as many weeping trees are, the age of the slock 
is included in the age for which estimates of sizes at twelve years from seed are given. But as such 
" worked " trees are grafted at quite different heights on stocks of the same age, it must be under- 
stood that the estimates here given are for trees grafted in the manner most common in the great 
nurseries. Trees_ marked with a star * are those generally grafted on other stocks. 

It must not be inferred that these tables embrace all the trees described in the preceding work. 
Most of the leading species are represented by one or more out of many varieties. The 
species and varieties whicli are not included in the tables will be found at once by referring to the 
Indbx. 

DECIDUOUS TREES OF THE LARGEST CLASS. 



304 
307 
30S 
310 
310 
312 
313 
315 
316 
319 
322 
326 
331 
327 
332 
344 
347 
34S 
349 
351 

354 
3S6 
360 
362 
364 
369 
384 
3SS 
387 
389 
40s 
406 
406 
406 



The White Oak. 

" Swamp White Oak 

" Burr Oak 

" Chestnut Oak 

" Rock Chestnut Oak 

" Scarlet Oak 

" Pin Oak 

" Turkey Oak 

" American White Elm . . . 

" English Elm 

" Scotch Elm 

" American White Beech. . 

" American Red Beech. . . . 

" Weeping Beech 

" American Chestnut 

" White or Silver Maple.. . 

" Sycamore Maple 

" Norway Maple 

" Great-leaved Maple 

" Black Walnut 

" Shellbark Hickory 

" White Ash 

" Cottonwood 

" Silver-leaved Poplar 

" Whitewood or Tulip-tree. 

" Cucumber Magnolia 

" Sycamore 

" Oriental Plane-tree 

" Weeping Willow 

" Golden Willow 

" Ginkgo, or Salisburia 

" Large-leaved Salisburia.. 

" Variegated Salisburia.. . 

" Scotch Larch 



Eotanicnl Name. 



Quercits alba 

Q. to7nentosa 

.5. inacrocarfia 

Q. prinus palustris 

Q. /. Jtimtticola 

Q. coccinea 

Q. pahcsiris 

Q. cerris 

Ulmus a7nerica7ia 

U. campestris 

U. vtotitana 

JFagus ainericana 

F.ferruginea 

F. sylvatictcs pendula 

Castanea ainericana 

A cer eriocarp7ini 

Acer pseudo platamcs 

Acer platanoides 

A cer macrophyllutn 

Jnglans nigra 

Carya alba 

Fraxiniis ajnericajia. ..... 

Popuhis canadetisis 

Pop7iliis alba canescens 

Liriodendron ttdipifera. . . 

Magnolia acwnitiata 

Platamis occidentalis 

Platanus orie?tialis 

Salix babylonica 

Salix vitellina 

Salisburia adiaftti/olia 

Salisburia macrophylla . . . 

Salisburia variegata 

Larix europcea 



Height, nreadtl; 



12 ft 



Height. Breadth 



80 ft. 
80 
70 
So 

50 
70 
70 
70 
70 



So ft. 



60 
60 
80 
70 
70 
70 
70 
70 
80 
70 

7° 
60 
70 
70 
60 
60 
70 
70 
70 
60 
80 



6o2 



APPENDIX. 



DECIDUOUS TREES OF SECONDARY SIZE. 



314 
315 
323 
324 
329 
330 
330 
337 
339 
339 
340 
340 
341 
343 
344 
345 
347 

347 

34S 

348 
348 
34S 
350 
351 
360 
360 
363 
370 
372 

378 

379 

380 
381 
382 
383 
383 
383 
383 
383 
390 
393 
393 
397 
39S 
399 
401 
402 
408 
411 
413 
417 
418 
419 
420 
423 
424 
424 

42s 
436 

429 
446 

454 



The 



Shingle Oak 

Upright Oak 

Weeping Scotch Elm . . 

Scamston Elm 

Purple-leaved Beech 

Copper-leaved Beech — 

Fern-leaved Beech 

Horsechestnut 

Double White-flowering. 
Red-flowering H. C. ... 
Scarlet-flowering H. C. . . 

Big Buckeye of Ohio 

Long-fruited H. C 

Sugar Maple 

Black or Rock Maple . . . 

Scarlet Maple 

Purple-leaved Maple 

White variegated- ) 

leaved Maple ) 

Yellow variegated- t 

leaved Maple ) 

Eagle's-claw Maple 

Lobel's Maple 

Shred-leaved Maple 

Round-leaved Maple 

Butternut 

Weeping English Aspen. 

Weeping Amer. Poplar. . 

Lombardy Poplar 

Heart-leaved Magnoha.. 

Great-leaved Magnolia.. 

Cut-leaved Weeping ) 
Birch 3 

Old Weeping Birch 

Paper or Canoe Birch . . . 

Yellow Birch 

American Linden 

European Linden 

Broad-leaved Linden 

Grape-leaved Linden 

Red-barked Linden 

White Weeping Linden. 

Locust, Black or Yellow. 

Japan Sophora 

Virgilia 

Kentucky Coffee-tree — 

Ailantus 

Liquidamber 

Tupelo 

Cherry 

Catalpa 

Sassafras 

Paulownia 

Am. Red Mulberry 

Downing Mulberry 

Paper Mulberry 

Osage Orange 

Western Nettle-tree 

Nettle-tree, Hackberry.. 

Paw-paw 

Cut-leaved Alder 

Apple-tree 

Pear-tree 

Apricot 

' Persimmon 



Botanical Name. 



Height. Breadth. Heisht. Breadth, 



Quercus hnhricaria 

Q. faUigiata • . . . 

Ulmus inontajia ^endtda . . . 

U. m. glabra 

Fagns p7irpurea 

Fagtis cuprea 

Fagiis heterophylla 

/Esczdus hippocastami7n 

yF^. h. flore plena 

^. h. rubicunda 

^. h. coccinea 

jF. {pavia) yiava 

^. ■macrecarpa {pavia m.). 

A cer saccharm7it?t 

A cer nigram 

Acer -rubmm 

A cer p. p. purpurea 

Acer p. p. alba variegata. . . 

A cer p. p. flava (aureci) 1 

variegata ) 

A cer p. lacianatum 

A cer p. lohelii: 

A cer dissecUcin 

A cer circijuitu77i 

Jiiglans cinerea 

Pojndus tre^nula pettdija , . * 
Pop. , grandide7ita. pettdida* 

Populus fastigiata 

Magfwlia cordata 

Magnolia macrophylla 

Behda lacianata pendzda . . . 

Betida pendula 

Betula papyracea 

Betula htiea 

Tillia aviericana 

Tillia ettropcB 

Tillia macrophylla 

Tillia vitifolia 

Tillia rubra 

Tillia pejtdida * 

Robiiiia pseiid-acacia 

Sophora J aponica 

Virgilia Itdea 

Gy77inocladus ca7iade7isis . . . 

A ila7dus 

Liq7cida/7iber 

Nyssa biflora 

Cerasus 

Catalpa syri7igafolia 

Laurus sassafras 

Paidoiu7iia i77iperialis 

Morus rubra 

Atoms 

Bro7css07ieiia 

Madura a7iria7dica 

Celt is occidetdalis 

Celtis crassifolia 



A hitis lacia7iata 

Pyriis 77zahis 

Py/lis 

Ar77ie7iiaca vulgaris. . 
Dyospyros virgiziiaca . 



ft. 10 ft. 



APPENDIX. 6o3 

DECIDUOUS TREES OF THE SMALLEST CLASS. 



336 
341 
342 

346 
347 
347 
349 
350 

357 
358 
358 
358 
359 
371 
374 
375 
376 
381 
390 
390 
391 
394 
403 



405 
407 
410 
410 
413 
422 
423 
428 
429 

429 
431 
431 



432 
434 
436 
437 
438 
440 
44S 
449 
449 
450 
450 

451 
451 
452 
453 
474 
477 
484 



The Dwarf Chestnut 

" Small Buckeye 

" California Buckeye 

" Striped-bark Maple 

" Guelder Rose-leaf Maple 

" Spike-flowered Maple... 

" English Field Maple 

" Tartarian Maple 

" Weeping Ash 

" Golden Ash 

" Weeping Golden Ash . . . 

" Ash-leaved Negundo 

" American Aspen 

" Umbrella Magnolia 

" Swamp Magnolia 

" Chinese White Magnolia 

" Soulange Magnolia 

" American White Birch.. . 

" Kilmarnock Willow 

" Amer. Fountain Willow . 

" Gummy Acacia 

" Weeping Japan Sophora 

" European Bird Cherry. . 

" Everflowering Weeping ) 

Cherry J 

" Dwarf Weeping Cherry. . 

" Weeping Larch 

" Indian Catalpa. 

" Kempfer Catalpa 

" Benzoin Laurel 

" Kolreuteria 

" Western Nettle-tree 

" Crab Apple 

" Siberian Crab 

" Chinese Double-flower- ) 

ing Crab j 

" European Mountain Ash 

" European Weeping I 

Mountain Ash | 

" Oak-leaved Moun. Ash \ 

" Dwarf profuse-flower- 1 

ing Mountain Ash. ) 

" White-flowered Dogwood 

" Cornelian Cherry 

" Judas or Red-bud 

" Halesia or Silver-bell 

" Thorn-trees 

" Hawthorn 

" American Hornbeam 

" Scotch Laburnum 

" Amelanchier 

" Tamarisk 

" Wych Hazel 

" Tree Andromeda 

" Tree Sumach 

" Purple Fringe-tree 

" Chionanthus 

" Hercules Club 

" Siberian Pea-tree 

" European Elder 



Castaneot. pinnila 

j^. pavia rubra 

^. californica 

Acer striatum 

A cer p. opnlifoliu-m 

A cer spicatimz 

A cer campesiris 

A cer tataricujn 

Fraximis excelsior pendula. 

Fraxinus aurea 

Fraxinus aurea pejidula . . . 
Negundo fraxijiafoliitvi. . . 
Poputus tmnula irepida. . . 

Magnolia tripetela , 

M. glatica * 

M. conspicrea 

M. soidangeana 

Betula populifolia. 

.S. caprea pendtda * 

Salix atnerica7ia pendnla.. 

Robi?zia viscosa 

S ophora j aponica pendtila.* 
Cerastis padtis 

Cerasiis semperflorens 

Cerasus pitmila pendula . . . * 

Larix pejtdida * 

Catalpa /iit?talayensis 

Catalpa kempfe?d 

Laurns benzoin 

Kolreuteria paniczdaia 

Celiis occidentalis 

Pyrus tnalus coronaria. .. 
Pyrus malus pruni/olia 

Pyrzis spectabilis 

Pyrus sorhus azccuparia 

Pyrzts sorbzcs pendzda * 

Pyrus sorbzcs pinatifida 
(qziercifolici) 

Pyrus itaiza floribzuzda 

Coriizts fiorida 

Cornzis nzas 

Cercis canadezzsis 

Halesia ietraptera 

Craiceg^ts 

Cratoegzis oxycantha 

Carpizzzis avzericazza 

Cytisszis alpizia 

A nzelazickia vzilgaris 

Tamarix '. 

Hatna7izelis 

A ndrovzeda arborea 

Rhzts typhina 

Rhzts cotizzus 

Chiozianthus virginica 

A ralia spinosa 

Caragazza arborescens 

Sambuczis 7zigra 



Usual Size 12 
Years from Seed. 



Height. Breadth. 



10 ft, 



Ustial Size at 
Maturity. 



Heieht. Breadth 



25 ft, 



I 23 

i 3a 



IS 


15 


8 


S 


20 


.30 


12 


16 


30 


14 


3fa 


16 


20 


40 


25 


25 


J 5 


20 


15 


20 



25 ft. 



* Trees marked with a star are usually grafted on other stocks. 



6 04 



APPENDIX. 



HARDY EVEE.GREEN TREES OF THE LARGEST SIZE. 



513 
524 
526 
527 
531 
539 
540 
544 

547 
SS2 
553 
554 
554 
571 
579 



The White Pine 

" Jeffrey's Pine 

' ' Austrian Pine 

" Scotch Pine . . 

" Pyrenean 

" Black or Red Spruce Fir. 

" Norway Spruce Fir 

" Oriental Spruce Fir 

" Hemlock Spruce Fir. . . . 

" European Silver Fir 

" Cephalonian Fir 

" Nordmann's Silver Fir. . 

" Noble Silver Fir 

" Nootka Sound Cypress. . 

" " Big-tree " of California. 



Pimis strohus 

' ' Jeffrey ajia 

" atistriaca '. 

" sylvestris 

" pyreneaca 

Abies nigra {rubra). . , 

" excelsa 

' ' orientalis 

" canadensis 

Picea pectinata 

" cephalonu:a 

" iiordmaniana.. . 

" nobilis 

Cupresstis jiootkaensis . 
Segiioia gigantea . ... 



Usual 


3,zel2 


Usual 


=i7.e at 


Years from Seed. 1 


Maturity. 


Height. 


Breadth. 


Height. 


Breadth. 


2^ ft. 


16 ft. 


90 ft. 


60 ft. 


23 


16 


100 


60 


25 


16 


80 


60 


25 


16 


70 


63 


20 


16 


70 


60 


20 


14 


70 


50 


25 


14 ' 


90 


so 


20 


H 


70 


50 


20 


14 


70 


50 


20 


15 


80 


40 


18 


13 


60 


60 


18 


13 


80 


60 


10 


12 


150 


80 


12 


7 


80 


60 


16 


10 


150 


70 



EVERGREEN TREES OF SECONDARY SIZE. 

Those marked P may require protectio7t in some parts of the Northerti States. 



531 
540 
542 
542 
549 
552 
552 
556 
557 
573 
57S 
583 



The Swiss Stone Pine 

" Weeping Black Spruce.. 

" Conical Norway Spruce. . 

" Inverted-branched Spruce 

" Sargent Hemlock 

" Weeping Silver Fir 

" Upright Silver Fir 

" Siberian Silver Fir 

" Red Cedar 

" Japan Cypress (P) 

" Yew-leaved Torreya (P). 

" American Holly (P) 



Pitms cemhra 

A bies nigra pendjila 

" excelsa conica 

" " inverta 

" canadensis sargenti. 
Picea pectinata pendtda . . . 

" " fasiigiata . 

" pichta 

y^inipenis virginiana 

Retinispo-ra obtusa 

Torreya taxifolia 

Ilex opaca 



5 ft. 


40 ft. 


10 




6 


30 


6 


50 


10 


30 


6 


50 


S 


50 


8 


40 


6 to 12 


40 


10 


50 


S 


30 


7 


30 



20 ft. 



EVERGREEN SMALL TREES AND SHRUBS 



519 
529 
530 
541 
541 
542 
551 
553 
559 
560 
560 
561 
554 
565 
563 
565 
567 
.567 
575 

575 
576 
577 
583 
5S5 
5S6. 
5S6 
590 
591 



The Compact White Pine. . . . 

Mugho Pine 

Mountain Pine 

Pigmy Spruce Fir 

Dwarf Black Spruce 

Gregory's Dwarf Spruce. 

Hudson's Bay Silver Fir. 

Oblate Dwarf Silver Fir. 

Swedish Juniper (P) 

Irish Juniper (P) 

OblongWeeping Juniper(P) 
' Scale-leaved Jimiper.... 
' American Arbor Vits . . . 

Parsons's Arbor Vitae . . . 

Am. Golden Arbor Vits 

Siberian Arbor Vitae 

Weeping Arbor Vitje (P). 

Golden Arbor Vitje (P) . . 

Erect Yew (P) 

Golden Yew (P) 

Fortune'sCephalotaxus(P) 

Japan Podocarpus (P) . . 

Holly-leaved Mahonia. . . 

Tree Box 

Dwarf Garden Box (P) . . 

Rhododendron 

Dwarf Andromeda (P). . . 

Daphne Cneorum 



Pinus strobus cotnpacia . . 

" -imcgho 

" pii7nilio 

A hies excelsa pygmcea . . 

" " nigra pnimila 

" " gregoriana.. 
Picea hudsonica 

' ' pecti}iata compacta. . . 

y^miperiis suecica 

' ' hibertiica 

" oblonga pendtila . 

" squainata 

Thuja occidentalis 

" o. compacta 

" o. aurea 

" siberica 

Biota pendula 

" orientalis aurea 

Taxus baccata erecta 

. ' ' baccata aurea 

Cephalotax7is /oriunii. 

Podocarptis japonica 

Mahonia aquifoliwn 

Buxus seinpervire7is arborea 

" " suffruticosa 

Rhododendroji 

A ndromeda fiorihmda . . 
Daphne oieorujn 



sft. 


Sft. 


12 ft. 


6 


5 


12 


6 


7 


12 


I 


2 


2 


3 


4 


5 


3 


4 


5, 


4 


S 




3 


4 


4 


10 


3 


18 


10 


2 


18 


10 


S 


20 


5 


10 


IS 


15 


8 


20 


8 


8 


12 


13 


6 


20 


12 


8 


20 


10 


6 


IS 


6 


5 


8 


10 


5 


15 


5 


4 


:o 


8 


9 


20 


12 


6 




5 


7 


5 


5 


5 


18 


i>^ 


i.^ 


8 


4 to 12 


4 to 12 


4 to 16 I 


2 


4 


3 


2 


2 


3 



12 ft. 

12 
18 

4 
6 

8 



to 16 

5 



APPENDIX 



605 



COMMON DECIDUOUS SHRUBS. 

In estimating the visual size six years after planting, it is supposed that the plants when set out 
are of the sizes usually obtained from nurseries. 



340 

341 
342 
377 
391 
434 
447 
461 
462 
462 
463 
463 
464 
466 
466 
467 
467 
468 
469 
469 
470 
470 
47° 
47° 
471 
472 
476 
477 
4S0 
480 
4S1 
481 
481 
482 
484 
4?S 



487 
4S8 
489 
490 
492 
493 
496 

497 
510 

512 

513 



The Dwarf Double-fl. Horse- I 

Chestnut ) 

Two-col. Horse- Chestnut. 
Dwf. White-fl. " 
Purple-flowered Magnolia 

Rose Acacia 

Red-twigged Dogwood. . . 
Chinese JJouble-fl. Plum. 

Common White Lilac 

Common Purple Lilac. . . 

Persian Lilac 

Rothmagensis Lilac 

Bush Honeysuckles 

Syringas 

Snow-ball Viburnum 

Dwarf " 

Japan " 

Great-leaved " 

Rose Weigela 

Lovely Weigela 

White-flowered Weigela.. 
Rough-leaved Deutzia... 
Double White Deutzia. . . 

Pink 
Graceful " 

Altheas 

Dwarf Almond 

Berberries 

Calycanthus 

Clethras 

Bladder Senna 

Yellow-flowering Currant.. 
Red-flowering " 

Gordon's flowering " 
Fuschia Gooseberry... 

American Elder 

Variegated-leaf Elder. . . . 

American Euonymus 

Broad-leaf " 

Foisythia 

Purple- leaf Filbert 

Oak-leaved Hydrangea... 

Japan Hydrangea 

Tree Pceony 

Common Privet 

Japan Quince 

Roses 

Spireas 

Stuartia 

Waxberries 



Botanical Name. 



Size at 6 years. 



^scnlas nanafl. pi 

JE. pavia discolor * 

/E, p. inacrostachia 

Magnolia purpurea 

Robinia hespida rosea * 

Cormts stolonifera 

Prunus sinensis 

Syringa. alba 

" vulgaris 

" persica 

' ' rothmagetisis 

Lo7ticera tartarica 

Pkiladelphus 

Viburnum opzilus 

" o. ?iana 

" plicatum 

" macropliyllum . . 

Weigela rosea 

" amabilis 

" nivea 

Deutzia scabra 

" crenata fl.-pl 

" rubra fl.-pl 

' ' gracilis 

Hibiscus 

A mygdalus nana 

Berberis 

Calycanthus 

Clethra 

Colutea arhorescens 

Ribes aureunt 

" sangui7ieu7n 

" gordoni. 

" speciosum 

Sambticus canadensis 

" variegata , 

Euonyinus atnericana , 

" lati/olius ,. 

Forsythia viridissi-ma 

Corylus purpu rea 

Hydrangea giierci/olin . . . . 

" deutziafolia 

Poeony mondan 

Ligzisirtifn vtdgaris 

Cydonia japonica 

Rosa 

Spirea 

Stuartia pentagynia 

Symphoricarpnts 



Height. Breadth. 



6 ft. 

6 
6 
4 
3 

7 

? 

9 

7 
S 
6 

4toS 
7 
7 
4 
7 
7 
7 



7 
7 
S 

s 

4 
8 

4 

1 107 

2to8 

6 

3 



4 ft. 

6 

6 

6 

8 

7 

? 

S 
4 
5 
6 
4to6 
7 
7 
4 
7 
7 
7 
10 



S 
6 
7 
7 
S 
S 
4 
5 
4 
itos 
3to8 
S 
4 



10 ft. 



8 
6toio 



7 ft. 



S 
ito7 
3toio 



8 
S 
10 

7 
1 107 

3 tOI2 

16 




INDEX. 



PAGE 

Abies 538 

A . alba 538 

A . nigra 539 

A . rubra S39 

A . nigra pendula 540 

A . excelsa 540 

A . e. pygmxa 541 

A . e. nigra pumila 541 

A . e. clanbrassiliaita 541 

A . e. gregoriana 542 

A . e. conica {stricia ?) 542 

A . e. compacta 542 

A . e. iortuosa compacta 542 

A . e. inverta 54^ 

A . e. pendula 543 

A . e. pyrainidata 544 

A . e. alata 544 

A . e. monstrosa 544 

A . e. finedonensis 544 

A . orientalis 544 

A . tnenziesii 544 

A . smiihiana (jnorinda) 343 

A . douglassi 546 

A . taxifolia 547 

A . pattonii 547 

A . cafiadensis 547 

A. c. tnacrophylla 549 

A . c. microphylla {gracilis) 549 

A . c. parsotii 549 

A . c. sargenti S49 

A. tsuga 550 

A . mertensiana 550 

A . canadensis taxifolia 550 

Acacia 390 

A cer 343 

A . sacliarinuni 343 

A. nigrum 344 

A . eriocarptitn 344 

A . rubrum 345 

A . striaitcm 346 

A . spicatuin 347 

A . pseudo platanus 347 

A. p. p. opulifolium 347 

A. p. p. purptirea 347 

A. p. p. alba variegata 347 

A, p. p. aurea variegata 348 

A . plataitoides 348 

A . p. laciniatuin 348 

A . p. lobclii 348 

A . dissectum " 348 

A . }iiacrop/tyllum , 349 

A . canipestris 349 

A . jnoiispessulamini 350 

A . circinatwn 350 

A . obtusatum 350 

A . tataricuni 350 

/Esculus , 337 

yE. hippocastanwn 337 



PAGE 

Esculus, h.flore plena 339 

yS. h. rzibicunda 336 

Ai. h. coccinea 340 

yS. h. aurea 340 

yS. h. laciniaia 340 

yS. h. nana flore plena 340 

yS". pavia flava 340 

yS. /. mbra 341 

^. p. discolor 341 

/E. p. inacrocarpa 341 

JE. p. jnacrostackia 342 

yS. p. californica 342 

Ailantus, Ailanttis 39S 

Airing the soil 264 

Akebia, Akebia gzunata 594 

Alata Spruce Fir 544 

Alder, A Inus 424 

Alder-leaved Clethra 480 

A Inus 424 

A . glutinoso 425 

A . laciniaia 425 

A . glutinoso aurea 425 

A . cordifolia 425 

Alternate-leaved Dogwood 435 

Althea, Hibiscus syriactis 47 1 

Amelanchier, A melanchier vulgaris 449 

A . botryapium 449 

A . florida 450 

American Arbor Vitae 564 

American Ceanothus 479 

American Cembran Pine 523 

American Chestnut, Castanea aviericana. . . 332 

American Crab-apple 428 

American Euonymus 485 

American Golden Arbor Vitas 565 

American Holly 583 

American Hornbeam, carpitius aniericana. .448 

American Lantana Viburnum 467 

American Larch 408 

American Linden 382 

American Mountain Ash 431 

American Plane-tree 384 

American Red-flowered Horse-chestnut 341 

American Red Mulberry 417 

American Rhododendron 587 

American Tooth-leaved Poplar 360 

American Weeping Elm ■ 316 

American White Beech 326 

American White Clematis 596 

American Wild Cherry 404 

American Wistaria 599 

American Yew 576 

Amorpha, A viorpha 472 

A. . fruticosa 473 

A . glabra 473 

A . nana 473 

A . fragrans 473 

A . croceolanata 473 



INDEX. 



607 



PAGE 

A morpha canescens 473 

A mfelopsis virginiaiui 594 

A . bifinnati 594 

A mygdalus nana 472 

A. n. siberica 472 

A . pumila alba 472 

Andromedas, A ndromeda. 590 

A . floribunda 590 

A . axillaris 590 

A . caiesbeii 590 

A . spinulosa 590 

Andromeda, A ndromeda arborea 451 

Andromeda, Deciduous, Lyonia 473 

Anona triloba 454 

Appendix 601 

Apple-trees, Pyrus vialus 242, 27S, 426 

Apricot, A rtneniaca vulgaris 446 

Aralia, A ralia 474 

A . japonica 474 

A raucaria imbricata 525 

Arbor Vitae Family — Thuja, Bieta, Thu- 

iopsis 564 

Arbutus, Arbuttis 584 

A . ttnido {rubra) 584 

A . hybrida -ntilleri 584 

A. aTidrachtie 584 

A. procera 584 

A . inenziessii 585 

Arclies, verdant 121 

Architectural fashions 46 

A ristolachia S94 

Armeniaca vulgaris. ." 446 

A . siberica 447 

Arrangement in planting 92 

Arrow-wood 467 

Art and Nature 15 

Artificial adaptations of trees 112 

Ash-berry, Mahenia 583 

Ash-leaved Negundo, or Maple 358 

Ash-tree, Fraximis 356 

Aspen, American 359 

English 360 

Weeping English 360 

Large 360 

Association in purchases 30 

Attempting too much 77 

Aucuba, A ucuba japonica 591 

Aucuba-leaved Ash 358 

Austrian Pine 526 

Autumn Honeysuckle 464 

Azalea, A zalea 474 

A , pon/ica 474 

A . nudijlora 475 

A . viscosum 47S 

A. speciosa 475 

A . arboresC€its 47S 

Balfour's Pine 522 

Balm of Gilead Poplar 361 

Balsam-bearing Poplar 362 

Balsam Fir 551 

Bank's Pine 521 

Bartram's Magnolia 373 

Basswood, TUlia 382 

Bastard Indigo, A morpka 472 

Beautiful Lilac 462 

Beauty of form in tress 281 

Beauty of health in trees 279 

Bedding plants. Chap, xvii 246 

Bedford Willow 3S9 

Beech, Fagus 325 

Benjamin Tree 413 

Bentham's Pine 522 



PAGE 

Benzoin Laurel ■ ■ ■ •• 413 

Berberry, Berberis 476, 5S9 

B. vulgaris 476 

B. atropurpurea 477 

B. darwini 589 

B. neubgrti 589 

B. dulcis 589 

BetulX 378 

B. laciniata pendula 378 

B. pendtda 379 

B. alba 379 

B. papyracea 380 

B. populi/olia 381 

B. lenta 381 

B. httea 381 

B. rubra 382 

Bhotan Pine 532 

Big Laurel 36S 

Bignonia 594 

B. grandiflora S94 

B, atrosanguinea 594 

B. jlava speciosa 595 

Big-tree of California 579 

Biota 564 

B. tartarica {pyramidalis) 565 

B. orientalis 566 

B. o. aurea variegata 567 

B. pendula 567 

B. orientalis pygmea 568 

B. o. liana 56S 

B. gracilis ifiepalensis) 568 

Birch, Betida 378 

Birthwort, A ristolachia 594 

Bitter-nut Hickory 355 

Bitter-s^eet, Celastrtts scandens 595 

Black Ash 357 

Black-fruited Elder 484 

Black Itahan Poplar 361 

Black Jack Oak •. 313 

Black Locust 39° 

Black Maple 344 

Black Mulberry 419 

Black Oak group 304, 312 

Black Poplar 361 

Black Spruce 539 

Black Walnut 351 

Bladder-nut Tree 512 

Blue Ash 357 

Blue-berried Honeysuckle 464 

Boleau a canot 380 

Bowers, verdant 121 

Box Elder ■ ■ 358 

Boxwood, Buxus 585 

British Evergreen Cypress .-. 569 

British Oak 3i4 

Broad-fruited Ash 357 

Broad-leaved Arbor Vitae 568 

Broad-leaved Buckthorn 444 

Broad-leaved Euonyraus 486 

Broad-leaved Kalmia 5S9 

Broad-leaved Linden 383 

Broussonetia 4^9 

Buckeye 34° 

Buckthorn, Rhatnnus cathartic-us 444 

Buddlea, Buddlea 47^ 

B. Iindleya7ia 47^ 

B. globosa 476 

Building sites. Chap, v 32 

Burning Bush 443 

Burr Oak 308 

Business men ; home grounds for 20 

Butternut 35i 

Buttonwood, Cephalanthus 476 



6o8 



INDEX. 



PAGE 

Buxus 5^5 

B. seTHpervirens 58s 

B. s. argentea 586 

B. s. aiirea 586 

B. s. stiffruticosa 586 

Calabnan Pine SS^ 

California Buckeye ■•. . ■ 342 

California Hemlock , 55° 

California Mountain Pine 5^3 

California' Privet 494 

California Redwood 580 

Calophaca, Calophaca 478 

Calycanthus, Calycanthus floridtis 477 

C, glati.cus 477 

C. prutt-ifolius 477 

Camperdown Elm 325 

Canadian Amelanchier 449 

Canadian Juniper 561 

Canadian Poplar 360 

Canada Rhodora, Rhodora canadensis 509 

Canoe Birch 380 

Caragana, Caragana 477 

C. arborescens 477 

C. frutescens 478 

C. grandiflora 47S 

C. chamlagu 478 

Carolina Ash 357 

Carolina Bird-cherry 405 

Carolina Laurel 581 

Carpinus 448 

C. americana 44S 

C. betida 448 

Carya 352 

C. alba 354 

C. sulcata (tomentosa viaxiina) 35s 

C. porcina. 355 

C. amara 355 

C. aguatica 355 

C 7nicrocarpa 356 

C. olivcsformis 356 

Castanea americana 332 

C. pumila 336 

C. vesca 336 

Catalpa, Catalpa syringafolia 408 

C. hinialayensis {junbraculifercC) 410 

C. kempferi 410 

C. bangei 411 

Catawba Rhododendron 587 

Catesby Laurel 581 

Caucasian Juniper 560 

Caucisian Rhododendron 587 

Ceanothus, Ceanothiis 479 

C. americanus 479 

C. thyssiflorus 479 

C. velutinus 479 

Cedars, Cedrtis 557 

Cedar of Lebanon 562 

Cedrus 557 

C. libani 562 

C /. pendula 563 

C. deodora 563 

C. d. argentea 563 

Celastrus scandetis 595 

Celtis 423 

C. occidentalis 423 

C. crassifolia, 424 

Cerasiis 402 

C. sylvestris 402 

C. vulgaris ... 402 

C. virginiana (serotina ?) 403, 404 

C. padus 403 

C. p. bractcosa 404 



PAGE 

Cerastes mehaleh 404 

C. semperflorens 404 

C. pnnnila pendula 405 

C. hisitanica 405, 581 

C. laurocerasus 405 

C. caroliniana 405 

Cercis canadetzsis 436 

C. siliqtiastmm 436 

Cephalafithus 476 

Cephalonian Fir ' 553 

Cepkaloidxus 574, 576 

C. drtipaciE 576 

C. fortunii masctda 576 

C. f. feinina 576 

C. pedu7iculata 577 

C. mnbractdifera 577 

Characteristics of Trees 277 

Beauty of Health 279 

Beauty of Form 281 

round-headed trees 2S3 

conical trees 284 

pendulous forms 285 

picturesque forms 286 

majesty of form 28S 

Lights and shadows 290 

Evergreen and deciduous trees com- 
pared 294 

Warmth of trees, etc 297 

Charles X. Lilac 461 

Chaste tree, Vitex 479 

Cherry, Cerasiis 402 

Chestnut Oak group 304, 310 

Chestnut-tree, Castanea 332 

Chili Pine 525 

Chimonanthus, Chhnonanthus /ragrans 478 

Chinese Aibor Vitse 566 

Chinese Caragana 478 

Chinese Double-flowering Crab-apple 429 

Chinese Double-flowering Plum 447 

Chinese Honeysuckle 597 

Chinese Juniper 561 

Chinese Lace-bark Pine S37 

Chinese Podocarpus 578 

China Quince 496 

Chinquapin 336 

Chinese Weeping Deciduous Cypress 572 

Chinese White Magnolia 373 

Chinese Wistaria 600 

Chionanthus, Chioiumthus 453 

C. virginica 453 

C. V. latifolia 454 

C. V. a7tgustifolia 454 

C. V. Tiiaritima 454 

Cicilian Silver Fir 533 

Cissus, Cissus 595 

Clanbrasils Dwarf Spruce 541 

Clematis, Clematis 595 

C. fiamida 595 

C. vitalba 595 

C. virgi7iica 596 

C. viticella 596 

C. florida 596 

C. azurea grandiflora 596 

C. Sophia 596 

C. helena 596 

Clethra, Clethra 480 

C. alnifolia 4S0 

C. torinentosa 480 

C. acu7ninata 480 

Cluster-flowered Yew 576 

Cockspur Thorn 439 

Color of Dwellings and Out-buildings 50 

Colutea, Colutea arborescens 480 



INDEX 



609 



PAGE 

Coluiea cmenta 481 

C. media 4S1 

Common Black or Sweet Birch 1S3 

Common Cotoneaster 483 

Common Elder 484 

Common English Alder 434 

Common Jasmine 491 

Common Privet 493 

Common Syringa 465 

Compact Nonvay Spruce Fir 542 

Compact Red Cedar S59 

Compact White Pine 519 

Conducting power of deep Roots 267 

Conical Norway Spruce Fir 543 

Continus-leaved Viburnum 467 

Contorted-branched Pine 523 

Constantinople Hazel 489 

Constructive Decorations 105 

Cppeland's " Country Life " 12 

Copper-colored Beech 330 

Corean Podocarpus 578 

Corean Seacoast Pine 537 

Cornelian Cherry 434 

Corrnis 432 

C. florida 433 

C. mas 434 

C. alba (stolojiiferd) 434 

C. sericea {lanuginosa) 434 

C. paniculata 43S 

C. cercinata 435 

C. mascida variegata 435 

C. aurea variegata 43S 

C. alternifolia 435 

Corsican Pine 536 

Corylus 488 

C. aniericana 488 

C. avellana 48S 

C. a. fnirpurea 4SS 

C. a. crispa 4S9 

C. a. tennis 489 

C. a. tiibulosa 4S9 

C. a. barcelonensis 489 

C. eolurna 489 

Cost of Home Grounds 20, 

Cotoneaster, Catofieasier 4S3, 590 

C. vulgaris 4S3 

C. frigida 4S3 

C. affinis 4S3 

C. actuninata 483 

C. jnumularia 483 

C. laxiflora 483 

C. microphylla 590 

C. roizmdifoUa 590 

Cottonwood 360 

Coulter's Pine 523 

Crab-apple 428 

Cratcegus 438 

C. crus-galli 439 

C. c. splendens 439 

C. c, prtmifolia 440 

C, c. pyracantJiafolia 440 

C. c. salicifolia 440 

C. c. na7ia 440 

C. oxycantha 440 

C. 0. pendnla 442 

C. o. rosea 442 

C. o. punicea 442 

C. o. p. flare plena 442 

C. o. mziltiplex 442 

C. o. lucida 442 

C. o. siricta 442 

C. coccinea 442 

C, c. flore plena 443 

39 



Cratcegus c. punctata anrea 443 

C. tenaceti/olia celsiana 443 

C. pyracantha 443 

Creepers 592 

Creeping Juniper , 502 

Crenate-leaved Deutzia 470 

Cryptomenia japonica 564 

C. elegans 564 

Cucumber Magnolia 369 

Cupressus 56S 

C. sempervirens 569 

C. laiijsoniana 570 

C. I. erecta 570 

C. I. gracilis 57 1 

C. nootkaensis 571 

C. thyoidies 571 

C. variegata 571 

C. fragrans , 571 

Chavicecyparis 571 

Cut-leaved Alder 425 

Cut-leaved Beech 330 

Cut-leaved Birch 37S 

Cut-leaved Horse Chestnut 340 

Cut-leaved (Eagle's Claw) Maple 34S 

Curled Ash-leaved Negundo 359 

Cydonia 495 

C. vulgaris 495 

C sinensis 496 

C. japonica 496 

Cypress Family, Cupress7<s, Taxodhun, 

Glypto-strobus, Retinispora 56S 

Cytissus, Cytissns 448, 4S2 

C. lahcrnutii 448 

C. I. pendjda 44S 

C. albina 449 

C. a. pe?id7da 449 

C. alba 482 

C. a. incarnafa 4S2 

Dandelo Mulberry 41S 

Daphne, JDap/me 4S4 

D. mezerium 484 

D. 711. flore alba 484 

D. m. aiitunmale 484 

D. van houtti 484 

D. C7ieoniin 484, 591 

D. laureola 591 

Dark Red Trumpet Creeper ... 594 

Darwin's Evergreen Berberry. . 589 

Deciduous Andromedas, Lyonia. {Andro- 

viedd) 473 

Deciduous Cypress 573 

Deciduous Shrubs 455 

Deciduous Trees 302 

Decorative Planting. Chap, ii 17 

Deep Lots 30 

Deep roots as conductors, etc 267 

Deep Tillage 266 

Deformed Spruce Fir .544 

Dense Indian Junipers 561 

Deodar Cedar 563 

Desbois Weigela 469 

Descriptions and order of arrangement 299 

Deutzia, Deutzia 470 

D. scabra 47a 

D. crenata 470 

D. c. flore pletia 470 

D. rubra flore plena 470 

D. gracilis 470 

Dogwood, Cornns 432 

Dotted-fruited Thorn 443 

Dotted-leaved Rhododendron 587 

Double Crimson Flowering Currant 482 



6io 



IITD E X 



PAGE 

Double-flowering Syrlr.ga 465 

Double-flowering Viburnum 466 

Double-scarlet Thorn 443 

Double White-flowering Crenate Deutzia....470 

Double White-flowering Horse Chestnut 339 

Douglass's Spruce Fir 546 

Dovaston's Weeping Yew 575 

Downing, A. J 12 

Downing's Ever-bearing Mulberrj' 418 

Downy Ash 357 

Downy Clethra 480 

Downy Cotoneaster 4S3 

Downy Nepal 4S3 

Downy Vibimium 46S 

Drainage 41, 264 

Dutch Cork-bark Elm 322 

Dutch Honeysuckle 597 

Dwarf Almond, Amygdalus nana 472 

Dwarf Boxwood 586 

Dwarf Black Spruce 541 

Dwarf Chestnut 336 

Dwarf Chestnut Oak 311 

Dwarf Horse Chestnuts 340, 342 

Dwarf Profuse-flowering Mountain Ash . . . .432 

Dwarf Swedish Juniper 560 

Dwarf Syringa 465 

Dwarf Viburnums 466 

Dwarf Weeping Cherry 405 

Dwarf White Pine 519 

Dwellings, Outbuildings, etc. Chap, vi 45 

Dyospyrus virginiana 424 

D. lotus 424 

Eagle's-claw Maple 348 

Earth 72 

Earth-freezing 266 

Earth-heat 266 

Elder, Sambucus 4S4 

Elm Ubmis 316 

Elseagnus, Elceagnus 4S6 

E. horteiisis 486 

E. argentea. 486 

E. japonica 486 

E. paniflorits 486 

Emodi Lilac 461 

English Aider 425 

English Cork-bark Elm 322 

English Elm 319 

English Field Maple 349 

English Hornbeam 44S 

English Ivy 59S 

English Juniper 559 

English Yew , 575 

Erect Yew 575 

Euonymus, Euonyintis 4S5 

E. atnericana 485 

E. atroparjrureuiiz 486 

E. euroficeiis 4S6 

E. latijfolius ', .... 486 

E. radicans 486 

European Bird Cherry 403 

European Euonymus 486 

European Holly 582 

European Horse Chestnut 337 

Europ^n Linden 383 

European Mountain Ash 431 

European Silver Fir 552 

European Sweet-scented Clematis 595 

European Walnut 351 

European Birches 379 

European Weeping Larch 407 

Evergreen Berberries 589 

Evergreen and Deciduous tiees compared. . . 294 



PAGE 

Ever-flowering Weeping Cherry 404 

Evergreen Italian Privet 494 

Evergreen Ivy, Hedera 597 

Evergreen Magnolia 368 

Evergreen Tree-box 585 

Evergreen Trees and Shrubs 514 

Exeter or Ford's Elm .323 

Expense of Home Grounds. 20 

Expressions of trees 27S 

JBagus 325 

F. americana, 326 

F. sylvatica 326 

F. Jemiginea 326, 331 

F. sylvaticus pendida 327 

F. purpurea 329 

F. ctiprea 330 

F. variegata 330 

F. heterophylla 330 

F. laciniaia 330 

Faults to avoid. Chap, ix 75 

Fences 51 

Fern-leaved Beech 330 

Fern-leaved Linden 384 

Field Maple 349 

Fiery Thorn 443 

Filbert, Corylus 48S 

Finedon Variegated Spruce t ir 544 

Flattened Yew 575 

Flesh-colored Cytissus 4S2 

Flowering Currant, ribes 481 

Flower-beds. Chap, xvii 246 

Flowers and Bedding-plants. Chap, xvii 246 

Flowery Amelanchier 450 

Foreign Oaks 314 

Forest-grown trees 280 

Forms of lots 30 

Forms of trees 283 

Forsythia, Forsyihia viridisswia 487 

Fothergilla, Fothergilla alnifolia 487 

Fortune's Cephalotaxus 576 

Fountain Willow 390 

Fraxitnis 356 

F. americana 356 

F. sambjicifolia 357 

F. pubescens 357 

F. quadrang^data 357 

F. j icglandiflora 357 

F. caroliniana 357 

F. platycarpa 357 

F. excelsior 357 

F. excelsior pendida 357 

F. aurea 358 

F. aurea pendida 358 

F. aticubafolia. 358 

F. punctata 358 

F. salicifolia variegata 35S 

Fragrant Clethras 480 

Fragi'ant Cypress or Cedar 571 

Eraser's Silver Fir 551 

Frigid Cotoneaster 483 

Fremont's Pine 523 

Fuschia Gooseberry 4S2 

Garden Boxwood 586 

Garden Elasagnus or Oleaster 486 

Garden Hydrangea 489 

Gate-ways 56 

Georgia Pitch Pine 520 

Giant-leaved Ivy 59S 

Giant Lilac 461 

Gigantic Arbor Vitae 566 

Ginkgo, Salisburia adianti/olia 405 



IN-D E X. 



6ii 



Glaucus-leaved Kalmia 589 

Glaucus Red Cedar 559 

Glediischia 392 

G. sittensis 392 

G. s. ^rpurea 392 

G. s. iner7nis 393 

Globe Arbor Vitae 566 

Globe-flower 492 

Globe-flowered Buddlea 476 

Glossy-leaved Willow 389 

Glypto-strohts 568 

G.-s. sitietisis pendula 572 

Goat Willow 390 

Golden Alder 425 

Golden Arbor Vitje 567 

Golden Ash 358 

Golden-barked Linden 3S3 

Golden Chain 448 

Golden Cypress or Cedar 571 

Golden-flowered Rhododendron 5S7 

Golden Retinispora 574 

Golden Snowball Spirsa 511 

Golden-striped-leaved Hydrangea 489 

Golden Willow 389 

Golden Yew 573 

Gold-leaved Maple 34S 

Gold-spotted-leaved Ash 358 

Gold-striped Ivy 598 

Gold-striped Privet 494 

Gordonia, Gordonia 581 

G. lasianthiis 581 

G. pubescens 582 

Gordon's Flowering Currant 481 

Gordon's Syringa 465 

Graceful Deutzia 470 

Grape-leaved Linden 383 

Grape Vines, Vitis '. 598 

Grass 72 

Gray Pine 521 

Great-leaved Maple 349 

Great-leaved Viburnum 467 

Great Silver Fir 555 

Green Ash 357 

Gregory's Dwarf Fir 542 

Ground Surfaces. Chap, v 32 

Guelder-rose-leaf IMaple 347 

Gum Copal Sumach 453 

Gummy Acacia 391 

Gymnocladtts canadefisis 397 

Hackberry 424 

Hacmatac 408 

Halesia, Halesia tetraptera 437 

a. diptera 437 

Hamamelis 450 

Harrmgton's Yew 577 

Hartweg's Pine 523 

Hawthorns 440 

Hazel, Corybis 4S8 

Heart-leaved Alder 425 

Heart-leaved Hydrangea 490 

Heart-leaved Magnolia 370 

Heath-like Cypress 573 

Heath-leaved Yew 575 

Heavy-wooded Pine 524 



HedeTo.. 

H. vulgaris 598 

H. canariensis 598 

H./oleis ajtreis 598 

H.f. argenteis 59S 

H. ragneriana 598 

Hedges 55^ 113 

Hemlock Fir 547 



Hickory, Carya ,^3 

High-bush Cranberry '*".'."..".*.' .' .' .' 466 

Highland Pine '.!.'."....'.'. 528 

Himalaj'an Spruce Fir CAt. 

Holly, Ilex '. .".■.■.■.■.■.jSa 

Holly-leaved Mahonia " c9,-i 

Holly-leaved Oak l^i 

Holly Oaks ;; ;;;;; ; ; '^r^l 

Honey Locust ' _' ,g2 

Honeysuclde, Lonicera 463^ cq5 

Hop Hornbeam .'.448 

Horse Chestnut, ^sculus '. '. . '. .337 

Hovey's Arbor Vitse 565 

Hudson's Bay Silver Fir 557 

Hydrangea, Hydrangea .'.'!! 4S9 

H. hortejisis 489 

H. gitercifolia 489 

If. cordata ^go 

H . arhorescejis 490 

H. canesce7is 400 

If. involticrata '. 4^0 

H. detitziafolia 400 

H. paniculata grandiflora 490 

Hypericum, Hyfierktcm 490 

H proUficuf7i 4go 

H. kahtiianuin 4^0 

H. calycimcm 450 



Ilex 



I. aqtdfolmm 582 

/. a. marginattim 582 

/. a. ferox 583 

/. a. alba margi7iatum 5S3 

/. a. aurea marghiatum 583 

/. opaca 283 

Imperial Cut-leaved Alder 423 

Incense Juniper 362 

Indian Catalpa ^410 

Introduction . ' n 

Inverted-branched Spruce Fir 542 

I^'lshlvy 5g8 

Irish Jumper -. 560 

Irish Yew 37(5 

Iron- wood, Osirya virginica 448 

Italian Cluster Pine 537 

Italian Stone Pine 537 

Ivy, Hedera .'.'.' ^^^ 

Japan Cedar cg^ 

Japan Cypresses 573 

Japan Euonymus, Euony7n7is japonicus 591 

Japan Hemlock Spruce 550 

Japan Honeysuckle 507 

Japan Hydrangea 490 

Japan Mahonia 584 

Japan Kerria, Kerria japo7uca 492 

Japan Oleaster 487 

Japan Osage Orange 422 

Japan Podocarpus 577 

Japan Purple Oak 315 

Japan Quince 496 

Japan Silver Fir 556 

Japan Sophora 393 

Japan Viburnum , 467 

Jasmine of Goa 492 

Jasmine, yasjniTtwin .". . . .491 

Jasmi7iui7i 491 

y. offici7iale 491 

J. 7iiidiflor%7n 491 

y. odoratissimtwi 492 

Jeffrey's Pine 524 

Jersey Scrub Pine 521 

Josika Lilac 462 



6l2 



INDEX. 



Judas Tree, Cercis canadensis 436 

Juglans regia 351 

7- nigra 351 

J. cineria 351 

Junipers, Cedrus and Juntperus 557 

Juniperus 557 

y. virginiatia 557 

J. V. pendula 559 

J. viridiisiina pendula 559 

J. •virginia7ia glaiica {cinerescetis) . . . 559 

J. V. pyramidalis 559 

y. V. variegata 559 

J. coin7n7inis vulgaris 559 

y. suecica 559 

y. s. nana 560 

y. hibernica 560 

y. oblonga 560 

y. o. pendula 560 

y. sinensis 561 

y. cafiadensis 561 

y. sabina 561 

y. alpijia 561 

y. detisa 561 

y. repanda densa 561 

y. recurva densa 561 

y. squamata 561 

y. repens 562 

y. prostrata 562 

y. rectunbetis 562 

y. religiosa 562 

Kalmia, Kahnia 589 

K. latifolia 589 

K. angtistifolia 589 

K. glatica 589 

Kemp on Gardens 13 

Kentucky Coffee-tree, Gymnocladus ca7ia- 

densis 397 

Kerria japoftica 492 

K. J. jffore plena 492 

Kilmarnock Willow 390 

Knee Pine 529 

Kolreuteria, Kolrettteria paniculata 422 

Laburnum, Cyiissiis 448 

Lambert's Pine 524 

Lantana Viburnum 467 

Larch, Larix 406 

Large Azure-flowered Clematis 596 

Large Clethra 480 

Large-flowered Trumpet Creeper 594 

Large-leaved Hemlock 549 

Large-leaved Magnolia 372 

Large-leaved Salisburia 406 

Larix Etiropoea 406 

L. e. pendula 407 

L . griffi-tkiana 407 

L . ainerica7ia 408 

Larustinus 465 

Late Red Honeysuckle 597 

Laurel Cherry 405 

Laurel-leaved Oak 314 

Laurels, Laurus 580 

Laurier Tulipier. 368 

Laurus 580 

L. nobilis 580 

L. carolinensis 581 

L. catesbiana 581 

Laurtcs sassafras 411 

L. benzoiit 413 

Lawns. Chap, xiii 107 

Lawson Cypress 570 

Leiuothce 5^0 



PAGE 

Lights and shadows of trees 290 

Ligustrum 493 

L . vulgaris 493 

L, sempervire7is 494 

L. foliis aureis 494 

L, /. argenteis ■. 494 

L. lucidttm 494 

L. spicatiim 494 

L. californica 494 

L. ovali/oli2t}?i 494 

Lilac, Syritiga 460 

Linden, Tillia 382 

Liquidamber, Liquida^nber 399 

Liriodendroji iulipi/era 364 

Live Oak 314 

Lobel's Maple 348 

Loblolly Bay 581 

Loblolly Pine 521 

Locust , 390 

Lombardy Poplar 363 

Loneliness of Isolated Country Homes 28 

Long-fruited Horse Chestnut 341 

Long-leaved Yellow Pine 520 

Lonicera 463, 596 

L, tartarica 463 

L. t. alba 464 

L. t. grandifolia 464 

L. t. fragrantissima 464 

L. cceridea 464 

L. periclymemun 596 

L . p. serotimmi 597 

L. p. belgicuni 597 

L . flava 597 

L . sempervireiis 597 

L. japotiica 597 

L, j. foliis aiirea reticulata 597 

Loose-flowered Cotoneaster 483 

Loudon's works 13 

Lovely Silver Fir 556 

Lovely Weigela 469 

Low's Silver Fir 555 

Lyo?iia 473 

L. arborea .■ 451 

L . racemosa '. 473 

L. 7nariana 473 

L . panic7data 473 

L. salicifolia 473 

L . frojidosa 473 

L . jmdiiflora 473 

L . capreafolia 473 

Madura 420 

M. tricuspidata 422 

Madeira Nut 351 

Madrona 585 

Magnolia, Magnolia 366 

M. grajidiflora 366, 368 

71/ acumi^iata 366, 369 

M. tripetela 366, 371 

M. jnacrophylla 366^372 

yi/. glauca 366-374 

M. cordata 370 

M. atiriculaia 373 

M. pyraniidata 374 

M. conspicua 375 

M. soidangeana 376 

Jif. purpnirea 377 

M. tho7npso7iiana 377 

M. gracilis 377 

M. speciosa 377 

Mahonia, Maho7tia 583 

M. aquifoliii77i 583 

M.fascularis , 5S4 



INDEX 



'I3 



PAGE 

Mahonin, nervosa 584 

M. repens 584 

M. japonica ? 584 

Majesty, source of, in trees 288 

Male Dog%vood 434 

Many-leaved Cotoneaster 483 

Map of ground Si 

Maples, Acer.. 2S1, 343 

Maple-leaved Viburnum 467 

Marsh, or Pin Oak 313 

Materials used in decorative planting 70 

Medlar, Mespilus 444 

Mehaleb cherry 404 

Menzies's Spruce Fir 544 

Mespilus 444 

M. grandiflora 444 

Mexican Fountain Pine 524 

Mezereon Pink 484 

Michaux's Magnolia 372 

Missouri Currant 481 

Missouri Silver-tree 487 

Mitchell, Donald G 12 

Moccas Oak 314 

Montpelier Maple 350 

Moosewood Maple 346 

Morinda Spruce Fir 54S 

Morns 415 

M. miiUicaulis 415, 418 

M. rubra 417 

M. alba .418 

lif. morettiana 41S 

M. nigra 419 

Mossy-cup Oak 310 

Mossy-cupped Turkey Oak 315 

Mountain Ash, Pyrtis sorhus 431 

Mountain Elder .-485 

Mountain Maple 347 

Mountain Pine 530 

Mountain scenery 71 

Mugho Pine 529 

Mulberry, Morus 415 

Mulching 272 

Myrtle 599 

Narrow-leaved Kalmia 589 

Neapolitan Maple 350 

Negundo 358 

Negundo fraxinifeliuvi 35S 

N . crispniin 359 

Neighboring improvements 6a 

Nepal Arbor Vitje 568 

Nettle, Celtis 423 

New American Willow 390 

New- Jersey Tea-plant, Ceanoihus 479 

Noble Laurel 5S0 

Noble Silver Fir 554 

Nootka Sound Arbor Vitje 566 

Nootka Sound Cypress 571 

Nordmann's Silver Fir 554 

Norway Maple 34S 

Norway Spruce Fir 540 

Nubigean Podocarpus 278 

Nut JPine 524 

Nyssa 401 

Oak-leaved Hydrangea 489 

Oak-leaved Mountain Ash 431 

Oaks, Qtiercus . - 302 

Oblate Dwarf Silver Fir 553 

Oblong Weeping Juniper 560 

Ohio Buckeye 340 

Old fruit-trees 239 

Old houses •245 



^1 , , PAGE 

Old places, renovation of. 238 

Oleaster 486 

Olive-acorn Oak 310 

Oval-leaved Privet 494 

Orange Quince 495 

Oriental Plane-tree 385 

Oriental Spruce Fir 544 

Osage Orange, Machira 420 

Ostrya virginica 448 

Out-buildings 46, 49 

Over-cup White Oak 308 

Panicled-flowered Dogwood 435 

Paper Birch 380 

Paper Mulberry 419 

Parks 27 

Parry's Pine 522 

Parsons's Arbor Vitas 565 

Parsons's Dwarf Hemlock 549 

Parsons's Silver Fir 555 

Patton's Giant California Fir 547 

Paulownia, Patdoimiia irnperialis 413 

Pavia (see .Msculus) 337 

Paw-paw, A nana triloba 454 

Peach, Persica 444 

Pear, Pyrtis 429 

Pear-tree-leaved Viburnum 467 

Pecan-nut 356 

Pendulous forms 285 

Pepperidge, Nyssa 401 

Pepper-vine 594 

Periploca, Periploca gmca 599 

Periwinkle, Vi?ica 599 

Persian Lilac , 462 

Persian Scotch Pine 539 

Persian White Lilac 462 

Persica : 444 

Persimmon, Dyospyrus ■virginiajia 424 

Philadelpkiis 464 

P. vulgaris 463 

P. flore plena 465 

P. zeyheri 465 

P. gordonii 465 

P. speciosa (grandiflora') 465 

P. na?ia 465 

Picea 550 

P. balsamea 551 

P.fraseri 551 

P. hridsonica 551 

P. pectinaia 552 

P. p. pendula 552 

P. p.fastigiata (jtietensis) 552 

P. p. pyrainidata 553 

-P. p. tortuosa 553 

P. p. coinpacta {fiajia ?) 553 

P. p. cilicica (leioclada) 553 

P. p. cephalonica 553 

P. nordnianniana 554' 

P. iiobilis 554 

P. grandis 555 

P. g. parsonii 555 

P. lowiana (lasciocarpa') 555 

P. amabilis 556 

P. pichta 556 

P. firma 556 

P. pinsapo 557 

P. pindrow 557 

P. webbiana 557 

Pictures, how made ig, 78 

Picturesque forms 286 

Pigmy Arbor Vitje 568 

Pigmy Fir 541 

Pigmy Scotch Pine 529 



6i4 



INDEX. 



PAGE 

Pigmy White Pine 519 

Pig-nut Hickory 355 

Pince's Mexican Willow Pine 525 

Pines, Pimis S'S 

American, on Atlantic slope 513 

American, on Pacific slope 522 

European and Asiatic 526 

Pink-flowering Double Deutzia 470 

Pink-flowering Honeysuckle 464 

Pin Oak 313 

Pinon Pine 5^4 

Pinnate-leaved Staphylia 513 

Pinsapo Fir 557 

Piuus 515 

P. strobus 515 

P. s. nana 5^9 

P. s. putnila 5^9 

P. i. compacta 519 

P. iiivea 519 

P. rigida (serotina) 519 

P. rubra (resinosa) 520 

P. pungens 520 

P. viitis 520 

P. australis 520 

P. a. exceha 521 

P. tceda ; 521 

P. inops 521 

P. banksiana 521 

P. benthaniiana 5^2 

P. parry ana 522 

P. balfouriaiia 522 

P. cozdterii J 

P. sabiana S 523 

P. 7nacrocarpa ) 

P. inonticola 523 

P.flexilis 523 

P . freniontiana 523 

P. hartwegii 523 

P. edidis 524 

P. ponderosa 524 

P. jeffreya?ia 524 

P. la]7ibertiana 524 

P. patula 524 

P. pinceana 525 

P. austriaca 526 

P. sylvestris 527 

P. s. horizontalis 528 

P. s. liana 529 

P. s. variegata 529 

P. s. latifolia 529 

P. s. argentea 529 

P. -inugho 529 

P. puTnilio 530 

P. cembra 531 

P. pyreneaca \ 

P. jnonspelliensis \ 531 

P. kispanica ) 

P. exceha 532 

P. laricio 536 

P. I. carainanica 536 

P. I. pygincea 536 

P. bruttia 536 

P. pinaster 337 

P. pinea ■ ■ 537 

P. btmgeana 537 

P. koraiensis 537 

Pitch or Pond Pine 519 

Plan before planting. Chap, ix 75 

Plane-tree, Plaiayius 384 

Plans of residences and grounds. Chap. xv. 131 

Platanus 3S4 

P. occidentalis 3S4 

P. orientalis 3S5 



PAGE 

Platting grounds 81 

Pliant-branch Viiburnum 467 

Plum-fruited Yew , 576 

Plum, Primus 447 

Plum-tree-leaved Viburnum ,. . . .467 

Podocarpus Yews, Podocarpus 574, 577 

P. drupaccE S7^ 

P. jap07iica 577 

P. j. eleganiissima 57S 

P. chinensis 578 

P. koraiana 57S 

P. nubigcejia 578 

y, Pxonia 492 

Pceonia 492 

P. ijioutan 492 

P. banksii 493 

P. papaveracea 493 

Pointed-leaved Cotoneaster 483 

Poison Ivy, Rhus toxicodendron 452, 59S 

Ponds 74 

Pontic Rhododendron 5S7 

Poplar, Poptdiis 359 

P. treniula trepida 359 

P. tremula 360 

P. t. pendula 360 

P. grandidenia 360 

P. g. petidnla 360 

P. canadensis 360 

P. nigra 36 1 

P. 7}ionilifera 361 

P. candica7is 361 

P. balsa77iifera 362 

P. alba 362 

P. a. ca7iesce7is 362 

P. fastigiata 363 

Portugal Broom 4S2 

Portugal Laurel 405, 581 

Post Oak 309 

Privet, L igustrin/t 493 

Protection from winds 270 

Protection of trees by mulching and binding. 272 

Prostrate Juniper 562 

Prtcmcs 447 

P. si7ie7isis 447 

Ptelea, Ptelea trijoliata 495 

Pubescent Gordonia 582 

Purple Berberry 477 

Purple-flowered Euonymus 4S6 

Purple-flowered Magnolia 377 

Purple Fringe-tree 452 

Purple-leaved Beech 329 

Purple-leaved Elm , 322 

Purple-leaved Filbert 48S 

Purple-leaved Maple 347 

Purple Lilac 462 

Pyramidal Magnolia 374 

Pyramidal Silver Fir 553 

Pyramidal Spruce Fir 544 

Pyrennean Pine 531 

Pyrtcs 429 

Pyrus 7nalus 426 

/-". 771. acerba 42S 

P. 7n. coroTiaT^'a 42S 

P. 771. pru7iifolia 429 

P. m. spectabilis 429 

Py7~!is sorbus 431 

P. aiiciiparia 431 

P. a77zerica/ta 431 

". pendula 43 1 

P. pi7i7iatifida 431 

P. 7ta?ia Jloribu7ida 432 

Quercus 302 



INDEX. 



615 



PAGE 

Qitercus alha 304 

Q. io7ne>iiosa 307 

Q, ifiacrocarpa 308 

Q. obtusiloba 309 

Q. aquatica 309 

Q. illicifolia 309 

Q. lyrata 309 

Q. olivei/orjnis 310 

Q. primts pahtstris 310 

Q. p. jnonticola 310 

Q. p. acuminata 311 

Q. p. ptimila 311 

Q. rubra 311 

Q. coccinea 312 

Q. tinctoria 312 

Q. falcata 313 

Q. tiigra 313 

Q. palustris 313 

Q. phellos 313 

Q. p. lanrifolia 314 

Q. hnbricara 314 

Q. vireiis 314 

Q. sessifiora 314 

Q. pedunculata 314 

O. p. pendida 314 

Q- p.fastigiata. 315 

Q. cerris 315 

Q. c. pendula 315 

Q. alba atropurpurea japofiica 315 

Q. ilex 316 

Quince, Cydojiia . . 495 

Red-barked Linden 383 

Red Bay 581 

Red Beech 331 

Red-berried Waxberry 513 

Red Birch 382 

Red-bud, Cercis canadetisis 436 

Red-bud Maple 345 

Red Cedar 557 

Red or Slippery Elm 319 

Red-flowering Currant 481 

Red-flowering Horse Chestnut 339, 341 

Red Oak group 304, 311 

Red Pine 520 

Red Spruce 539 

Red Tartarian Honeysuckle 463 

Red-twigged Dogwood 434 

Relative importance of Lawn Trees, Shrubs, 

and Flowers. Chap, xii 102 

Renovation of old places. Chap, xvi 238 

Retinispora 568, 573 

R. ericoides 573 

R. obiitsa 573 

R. pesifera aurea 574 

Rhainmis caiharticiis 444 

R. latifolius 444 

Rhododendrons, Rhododendron sS6 

R. poniic7im 5^7 

R. maxinnun 5^7 

R. m. pitrpuremn 5^7 

R. catawbaensis 5^7 

R. punctatnm 587 

R- crysanthemuvi 5^7 

R. ca7icasicum 5^7 

Rkodora canadejisis S°9 

Rhus 451 

R. cotinus 45"^ 

R. typhijia 45^ 

R. copallnia 453 

R. toxicodendron 454, 598 

Ribes 481 

R. aureiun 4?' 



PAGE 

Ribes sanguineum 481 

R. gordoni 48 1 

R. sangtmiea Jlore plena 482 

R. s. glutinosum 482 

R. speciostim 482 

Ring Willow 389 

Roads. Chap, x 85 

Robinia 39° 

R. pseud-acacia 390 

R. p.-a. besso}na?ia 391 

R. viscosa, {glutinosa) 391 

R. hispida rosea 391 

R. h. -inacrophylla 391 

Rock Chestnut Oak 31° 

Rock Maple 344 

Roses, Rosa 261, 497 

Roses, Hardy June 49S 

Hybrid China 49S 

Hybrid Provence 498 

Hybrid Damask 49S 

Hybrid French 498 

Moss 499 

Climbing 499 

Prairie 499 

Boursault 50c 

Ayrsln're 5°° 

Multiflora 500 

Evergreen 500 

Yellow Austrian 500 

Wild Bush 500 

Hybrid Perpetual 501 

Perpetual Moss 5°i 

Bourbon 502 

Noisette 503 

Tea 503 

China 503 

Rose Beds 505 

Rose Acacia : 39^ 

Rosemary-leaved Willow 390 

Rose Weigela 46S 

Rothmagensis Lilac 463 

Rough-leaved Deutzia 470 

Round-leaved Dogwood 435 

Round-leaved Maple 35° 

Round-headed trees 283 

Rules of arrangement. Chap, xi 92 

Running Myrtle 599 

Russell Willow 389 

Rustic wood-work 74 

Sabine's Pine 5^3 

Sacred Juniper - 562 

Salisburia, Salisburia adianti/olia 405 

6". a. viacrophylla 406 

S. a. variegaia 406 

Salix _ 3S6 

S. babylo7iica 387 

S. annularis 389 

S. vitellina 389 

6". alba 389 

6". ruselliana 389 

S. hccida 389 

^. roseviarifolia 39° 

S. caprea 39° 

vS". ainericana pe7id7da 390 

Sajnbucus 484 

5'. canadensis 484 

S. nigra 484 

S. raceniosa ... .' 48S 

S. variegata 483 

Saplings, use of for grafting 241 

Sargent's Hemlock 549 

Sassafras, Laurus sassafras 2S0, 411 



6i6 



INDEX, 



Scale-leaved Juniper 561 

Scamston Elm 324 

Scarlet-fruited Thorn 442 

Scarlet-flowering Horse Chestnut 340 

Scarlet Maple 345 

Scarlet Oak 312 

Scotch Laburnum 449 

Scotch Larch, Larix europcea 406 

Scotch Pine 527 

Red-wood 528 

Pigmy 529 

Variegated 529 

Persian 529 

Silvery 529 

Scotch or Wych Elm 282, 322 

Screens and hedges 113 

Sequoia, Sequoia. 579 

^. giga->uea, {washhzgionza, welling- 

toiiia) 579 

kS". seinpervirens 5S0 

Shell-bark Hickory 354 

Shepherdia, Shepherdia 454 

.S'. argentea 454 

Shingle Oak 314 

Short-leaved Yellow Pine 520 

Showy-flowered Clematis 596 

Showy-flowered Syringa 465 

Shred-leaved Maple 348 

Shrubby Trefoil 495 

Shrubby Wistaria '. 599 

Shrubs 455 

Shrubs, considerations affecting a choice of. .455 

Siberian Apricot 447 

Siberian Arbor Vita? 565 

Siberian Crab-apple 429 

Siberian Golden variegated-leaved Dogwood. 435 

Siberian Pea-tree 477 

Siberian Silver Fir 556 

Siebold's Arbor VitE 56S 

Siebold's Spreading Yew 577 

Sikkim Larch 407 

Silky Dogwood 434 

Silver Abele Tree 362 

Silver Bell, Halesia tetraptera 437 

Silver Firs, Picea 550 

Silver-leaved Maple 344 

Silver Poplar 362 

Silver-striped Ivy 598 

Silver-striped Leaved Hydrangea 489 

Silver-striped Privet 494 

Silvery Deodar Cedar 563 

Slender Dwarf Hemlock 549 

Slippery Elm 319 

Snow-ball Viburnum 466 

Snowdrop, Halesia tetraptera 437 

Snow-Flower, Chioiiantlnts 453 

Snow or Silver Pine 519 

Snowy Mespilus 449 

Sod fences 53 

Sophora, Sophora 393 

6". japonica 393 

S. j. pendula 394 

6". heptaphylla 395 

Sorrel Tree, A ndro77ieda A rborea 45 1 

Soulange's Magnolia 376 

Spanish Chestnut 336 

Spanish Oak :!i3 

Spike-flowered Maple 347 

Spike-flowered Privet 494 

Spirsea, Spircea 510 

S. callosa alba 510 

S, c./oriunii 510 

S. floribunda 510 



Spiraa, oxhnea 510 

.5". trilobata 510 

S, thuiibergia 530 

S. reevesiflore plena ; 511 

S. van houtti 511 

S. prunifolia 511 

S. billardi 511 

.y. opulifolia atirea .511 

6". ariafolia 511 

6". japonica (?) 511 

Spruce Firs, A bies 53S 

Spruce Pine 520 

Staphylia, StaphyUa 512 

6". trifoha 512 

^. pinnata 513 

St. Johnswort, Hypericum 490 

St. Peterswort, Synipkoricarpus 513 

Street trees 68 

Striped-bark Maple 346 

Stuartia, Stuartia 512 

S. pentagynia 512 

lS". virginica 512 

Styles of Architecture 46, 47 

Suburban, compared with city life, 25 

Suburban, compared with country places, 

chap. iv. 26 

Sugar Maple 343 

Sumach, Rktcs 451 

Surface roots 267 

Swamp Cypress 573 

Swamp Magnolia 374 

Swamp White Oak 307 

Swedish Juniper 559 

Sweet Bay 5S0 

Sweet Gum, Liguidaniber 399 

Sweet-scented Crab-apple 428 

Swiss Stone Pine 531 

Sycamore Maple 347 

Sycamore, Platamcs 384 

Sympjtoricarpus 513 

6". racetnosas .513 

S. vulgaris 513 

Syringa 460 

S, alba 461 

'S'. gigantea 461 

6". carola 461 

vS". emodi 461 

6". ccertilea superba 461 

S. vulgaris 462 

•5". speciosa 462 

^. josikea 462 

S. persica 462 

S, p. alba 462 

S. roth-niagensis 463 

Syringa, Philadelphus 464 

Table Mountain Pine 520 

Tacamahac 362 

Tansy-leaved Thorn 443 

Tamarisk, Taviarix. .'. 450 

T. gallica 450 

T. gernia7iica 450 

T. africatia 450 

Tartarian Arbor Vitje 565 

Tartarian Maple 350 

Taxodiinn 568 

T. distic/iii7n 573 

Taxzts 574 

T. baccata 575 

T. b. erecta {strictd) 575 

T. b. aurea (jiariegata) 575 

T. elega7itissi77za 575 

T. hiber/iica 575 



INDEX. 



617 



Taxns adpressa 575 

T. dovastoni 575 

T. ericoides 575 

T. canadensis 576 

T. japonica 376 

T. harri7igto7iia 577 

Tecoma 594 

Thick-leaved Nettle 424 

Thick-shelled-nut Hickory 355 

Thompson's Magnolia 377 

Thorns, Cratoegns 438 

Three-thorned Acacia 392 

Tkuiopsis dolobrata 56S 

T. horealis 571 

Tkiija 564 

T. occidenialis 564 

T. 0. cotnpacta. 565 

T. o. hoveyii ■. . 565 

T. siberica 565 

T. occidenialis aurea s^o 

T. globosa 566 

X. minima (?) 566 

T. plicata 566 

T. gigantea 566 

T. pendula 567 

Tiles 44 

Tillia 3S2 

T. ainericana 3S2 

T. macrophylla 383 

T. europa 383 

T. vitifolia 3S3 

T. rtibra 383 

jT. anrea 383 

T. alba 383 

T. pendzila 383 

T. laciniata 384 

Tom Thumb Arbor Vitje 566 

Tooth-leaved Viburnum 467 

Torreyan Yews, Torreya 574, 578 

T. taxifolia 578 

Tortuous Compact Spruce Fir 542 

Tortuous Silver Fir 553 

Treatment of half-hardy trees 264 

Trees 277 

Trees, considerations affecting a choice of.. . .299 

Tree Poeony 492 

Tree Sumach 452 

Trimming up trees 239 

Trumpet Creeper, Bigno7tia Tecoma 594 

Trumpet Honeysuckle 597 

Tulip, Liriode7idro7i Udipifera 364 

Turkey Oak 315 

Tupelo, Nyssa 401 

Two-colored Pavia 341 

Two-vvinged-fruited Halesia 437 

Ulmus 316 

U. a77tericana 316 

U. rubra {/tdva) 319 

U. alata 319 

U. ca77ipestris 319 

U. suberosa 322 

U. 77tajor 322 

U. pjcrpurea 322 

U. 77ionta7ta 322 

XJ. 77t. pe7idula 323 

U. 771. fastigiata 323 

U. 771. glabra 324 

U. 771. g. pendiila 324 

Umbrella Magnolia 371 

Upright Indian Fir 557 

Upright Oak 315 

Upright Silver Fir 552 



Variegated Golden Arbor Vitse 567 

Variegated-leaved Beech 330 

Variegated-leaved Box-tree 586 

Variegated-leaved Dogwood 435 

Variegated-leaved Elder 485 

Variegated-leaved Horse Chestnut 340 

Variegated- (white) leaved Maple 347 

Variegated-leaved Viburnum 466 

Variegated-leaved Weigela 469 

Variegated-leaved Yew 575 

Variegated Red Cedar 559 

Variegated Salisburia 406 

Variegated Willow-leaved Ash 358 

Vaux, Calvert 12 

Vegetable gardening 23 

Venetian Sumach 452 

Verdant gateway arches 58, 121 

Viburnums, Vib7ir7ium 465 

V. ti7ius laitri/olia 465 

Y. awefuki {japonic-U77i) 466 

V. si7ie7isis 466 

V. ep7dus 466 

v. o, foliis variegata 466 

V. o. fiore plena 466 

V. o. 7ia7ta 466 

V. o. pyg77ioea ' 466 

y. o. oxy coccus 466 

V. la7ita7ioides 467 

V. coiinifoliu77t , 467 

V. plicatu77t 467 

V. 77iacrophyllu7n 467 

V. acerifoliu77i 467 

V. lejitago 467 

V. pr7l7lifollU77t 467 

V. pyrifoliu77t 467 

V. de7tiatu7jz 467 

V. pubesce7is 468 

Vi7ica 599 

Vines 73r 242, 244,^592 

Vine-bower Clematis '■S'^^ 

Virgilia, Virgilia lutea 395 

Virginia Creeper, A77ipelopsis virginiana. ..^q-i, 

Virginia Fringe-Tree, Chio7ia7ithus 453 

Virginia Stuartia 512 

Virgin's Bower, Cle77tatis 595 

Vitex 479 

V. agnus castus 479 

V. a, latifolia 479 

V. i7tcisa 479 

V. arborea 480 

Vitis 598 

Wahoo Elm 319 

Wales's Drooping Norway Spruce Fir 543 

Walks and Roads. Chap, x 85 

Walnut, 'jf7tgla7is 350 

Warmth of trees 297 

lVashingto7iia 579 

Water Bitter-nut Hickory 355 

Water, in ponds or in motion 74 

Water Oak 309 

Water White Oak ... 309 

Waxberry, Sy77zphoricarpns 513 

Waxy-leaved Privet 494 

Webb's Purple-coned Silver Fir 557 

Weeping Arbor Vita; 567 

Weeping Ash 357 

Weeping Aspen 360 

Weeping Beech 327 

Weeping Elm (American) 316 

Weeping Elm (Scamston) 324 

Weeping Golden Ash 358 

Weeping Japan Sophora 394 



6i8 



INDEX. 



PAGE 

Weeping Laburnum 44^ 

Weeping Mountain Ash 43' 

Weeping Norway Spruce Fir 543 

Weeping Poplar 360 

Weeping Red Cedar. 559 

Weeping Scotch Elm 3^3 

Weeping Scotch Laburnum 449 

Weeping Silver Fir 55^ 

Weeping White Linden 383 

Weeping Willow 3S7 

Weigela, Weigela 468 

IV. rosea 468 

W. desboisii 4^9 

W. amabilis 4^9 

W. hortensis nivea. 469 

IV. variegata. 469 

Wellingtonia 579 

Western Nettle 423 

White Ash 35^ 

White Beam-leaved Spiraea 511 

White Beech 326 

White-berried Waxberry 513 

White Birch 3S1 

White Cedar 559 

White Cedar Cypress 571 

White Cytissus 482 

White Elm 316 

White-flowering Dogwood 433 

White-flowering Horse Chestnut 337 

White-flowered Weigela 469 

White-fruited Dogwood 434 

White-leaved European Linden 383 

White Lilac '. 461 

White Linden 383 

White Maple 344 

White Mulberry 418 

White Oak group 304 



White Poplar 362 

White Pine 515 

White Tartarian Honeysuckle 464 

White variegated-leaved Maple '...'. 347 

White Vine Clematis 595 

White Willow 389 

Whitewood, Liriodendroji tuUpifera 364 

Wild Olive 486 

Willow, Salix 386 

Willow Oak group 304, 313 

Winter Flower, Chi7no7iantIius fragrans.. .i,^'i 

Wistaria, Glycine, Wistaria 599 

IV. {0.) frtUesceiis 599 

W, (G.) sinensis 599 

fV. (G.) .s. aiia 600 

IV. (G.) brachyhotria 600 

W. ((?.) b. rjibra 600 

. IV. (G.) 7nagnifica 600 

W. (G.) frjitescens alba 600 

Woodbine Honeysuckle 596 

Wych Hazel, Hamamelis 450 

Wych Elm, smooth-leaved 324 

Wych (Scotch) Elm 322 

Yellow Birch 3S1 

Yellow Chestnut Oak 311 

Yellow-flowered Honeysuckle 597 

Yellow-flowered Trumpet-creeper 595 

Yellow Horse Chestnut 340 

Yellow Locust 390 

Yellow Variegated Maple 34S 

Yew Family 574 

Taxus, Cepkalotaxzis, Torreya, /tftd 
Podocarpus. 
Yew-leaved Torreya 578 

Zeyher's Syringa 465 




L O T H A I R. 

A Novel. 
By the Right Honorable BEnJAMiS^ DISRAELI, 

Late Prime Minister of Great Britain. 



■ Nusse hsec omnia, salus est adolescentulis." — Terentius. 



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without loss to the sender. In ordering the Journal, the name should be clearly given, 
with the post-ofSce, county, and State, in fuU. 

Reading Cases for Appletons' Journal, arranged to hold thirteen numbers. In half 
leather, price $1.00. Binding Cases for vols. 1 and 2, cloth, gilt, price '75 cents each. 
Mailed, post-free, on receipt of price. 

Appletons'' Journal and either Harper^ Weekly, Harjxrh Bazar, IIarper''s Mctgazine, 
Putnam'' s Magazine, Lippnncotfs Magazine, the Atlantic Monthly, or the G-alazy, 
for one year, on receipt of$1. Appletons^ Journal and LitteWs Living 
Age, for $10 ; Appletons'' Journal and Oliver Optic's Maga- 
zine, for %Z; or he Riverside Magaziiie, for %^.t)Q. 

The publication of the Journal began April 3, 1869. Back numbers can always be 
supplied. Fourth Volume began with No. 66, of the date of July 2, 18'70. 

Appletons' Journal is also issued in Monthly Parts, price 50 cents each, or $4.50 
per annum, in advance. 

D. APPLETOIT & CO., Publishers, 

90, 92 & 94 Grand Street, l^etc York. 



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